Jewish unity is one of the primary things that brings the Redemption. Perhaps this is also why the festival of Sukkot is so close-ly connected with the Redemption, for the theme of the unity of the entire Jewish people is particularly emphasized in the mitzvot of this festival.
The sukkah expresses unity. In the sim-plest sense, when a person leaves his home and sits in a sukkah, he removes the barri-ers separating him from others, making it easier to unite with them. Our Sages say, "all of Israel are fit to sit in one sukkah." This unity is expressed even more in the mitzvah of the Four Species, which, as the Midrash teaches, represent different types of Jews. Regarding them, Hashem, says, "let them all be bound together as one."
One of the signs of a kosher hadas (myrtle) is that its leaves grow in groups of three. This is reflected in the Torah's description of it as an "avot [interwoven] tree branch." The number three represents the complete-ness of the different "lines"—right, left, and center. In the hadas, the idea is ex-pressed that all three lines emerge from one common point.
We also find the theme of unity in the ara-vah (willow) in that it grows in brother-hood with other willows, in clusters. Each willow is a tree on its own, yet it tends to grow together with other willows—an expression of brotherhood and unity.
Species of Unity
Chassidic teachings expand upon the theme of unity found in the mitzvot of Sukkot. Unity is evident not only when the Four Species are taken together, but also within each species individually.
The unity expressed by the etrog is reflect-ed in the fact that it dwells on its tree from year to year. Every fruit has its particular growing season, after which it falls or rots. The etrog, however, can remain on the tree throughout all the seasons of the year. Not only is it unharmed by the changing sea-sons, but it actually grows through them all. In this way, the etrog expresses the unity of all the seasons of the year, which together form one complete whole.
The lulav also expresses the idea of unity. Our Sages teach that its leaves must be joined closely rather than separated. In addition, each leaf of the lulav consists of two parts joined together. Thus, the theme of unity is present within the lulav itself.
Unity Within Diversity
In this way, each of the Four Species of Sukkot expresses the theme of unity. The emphasis here is not on erasing differ-ences, but on creating unity within those differences. Each species—and certainly all four together—expresses the idea that although there are different qualities, they remain united and form one mitzvah.
This is the unique quality of unity ex-pressed by the Four Species compared with the unity of the sukkah. The unity of the sukkah is indeed very lofty, but it does not descend into the smallest details. It is a general unity, coming "from Above."
The purpose of the Four Species is to bring the unity of the sukkah down into the level of details and particulars—to emphasize that even within a reality containing many different details and diverse qualities, there remains a common point of unity.
Such an awareness of Jewish unity is espe-cially necessary in these days, on the threshold of the true and complete Re-demption. In its merit, may we merit the coming of Moshiach now!