Embodying Sukkot: A Body Scan Through the Four Species

The Torah tells us “Ul’kakh’tem la’khem,” “you should take for yourself” a lulav and etrog, leading the Rabbis to interpret that each person has an individual and personal responsibility to shake their own lulav.

In this activity, Moving Traditions offers you an invitation to lean into the individual elements of the holiday through the symbolism of the four species – etrog, palm, myrtle and willow (which make up the lulav). According to tradition, each of these symbolic species is connected to parts of the human body, with the etrog referring to the heart, the palm referring to the backbone, the myrtle referring to the eyes, and the willow representing the lips (Sefer HaChinukh #324).

During this activity, find a comfortable place in your sukkah or somewhere serene. If you have a lulav and etrog available, have them with you. If not, that is okay; please use the pictures provided as guiding imagery. Take your time to let in your thoughts and emotions without judgment. Feel free to simply let these questions guide your thoughts, grab a pencil and paper to write or use these as a guide to discussion with your family.