Sights and Sounds

Posted on by mcohen15

The other ritual objects traditional for Sukkot are the Lulav and Etrog.  Each day during the week of Sukkot one holds the two together (see photo below) and shakes it in 6 directions, the 4 cardinal directions, up towards the heavens and down towards the earth. On the very last day one gets extra willow branches and beats them on the ground to simulate the sound of rain falling.  From now on through the winter a prayer for rain is added to every service.  It is supposed to rain on Wednesday.   Today is the last day of this holiday and we spent some time buying tasty treats in one of my favorite places, Machane Yehuda.  It really feels like harvest time there.

The lulav is made up of a palm branch (representing the spine), myrtle branches (representing the eyes), and willow branches (representing the mouth). The etrog is a citron that represents the heart.
The lulav is made up of a palm branch (representing the spine), myrtle branches (representing the eyes), and willow branches (representing the mouth). The etrog is a citron that represents the heart.
The etrog tree only grows in Israel and is quite thorny.
The etrog tree only grows in Israel and is quite thorny. You can see one on the tree at the lower left otherwise it’s been picked clean.
Walking home you can see these two men have a tall plastic bag between them, that holds the lulav.
Walking home you can see these two men have a tall plastic bag between them, that holds the lulav.
Entrance to the Machane Yehudah market.
Entrance to the Machane Yehudah market.
Main corridor of the market with many lanes crisscrossing it.
Main corridor of the market with many lanes crisscrossing it.
Here you can see the lulav sticking out of the shopping bag. We have seen people carrying them everywhere.
Here you can see the lulav sticking out of the shopping bag. We have seen people carrying them everywhere.
Every type of olive you could imagine.
Every type of olive you could imagine.
Halvah, an acquired taste. Made from various nut butters and other added ingredients. Popular throughout the Middle East.
Halvah, an acquired taste. Made from various nut butters and other added ingredients. Popular throughout the Middle East.
My favorite tea and spice seller.
My favorite tea and spice seller.
Outside the market a little Urban Art installation. Could not find the name of the artist but these red parachute figures blow up and then deflate.
Outside the market an unexpected Urban Art installation. Could not find the name of the artist but these red parachute figures blow up and then deflate.

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