While it’s human nature to focus on what we don’t have and what we wished we had, that attention becomes a constant source of frustration and sadness. As our tradition teaches: “Who is wealthy? One who is happy with his portion.” (Ethics of the Fathers 4:1). The ritual waving of the four species reminds us to be thankful for whatever we do have, a lesson we must take to heart during this corona crisis. Learning to do so can bring great happiness into one’s life, no matter what one possesses or does not.
Being thankful for whatever we have is actually easier for those of us who will be spending the days of Sukkot waving our lulavs quietly at home instead of enjoying the hustle and bustle of a crowded synagogue. Why is this? Because it is only human nature to look at other people's lulavim and compare them with our own. Some folk have bigger ones, others have a better shape. Their etrogim have a better shape or colour, their arovot have not withered and turned brown, and so on. This year, for many of us there will be no visual trigger for feelings of envy or inadequacy, so we have a better chance of being contented with our own.
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