Swords into Palm Branches

An address to children on Chol Hamoed Sukkos

In an army, soldiers are given special tents, designated living quarters. They also possess special weaponry so they can carry out their mission effectively and win their battles. And when they want to demonstrate their victory, they parade around and display all their weapons—rifles, bullets, tanks, daggers and swords. . . . They put on a noisy, elaborate show, thinking that this will prove their military prowess.

But Hashem declares that in His army—and all Jewish children are soldiers in this army— you display your strength by openly and proudly showing your victory for Torah and mitzvos.

Unlike other nations, who parade with a rifle, a Jew parades with a lulav. And instead of bullets, a Jew arms himself with an esrog. Instead of brandishing daggers or swords, a Jew carries hadassim (myrtles) and aravos (willows). He stands with all the Four Species in his “military barracks”—the Sukkah, and recites a blessing to G-d who “sanctifies us with His commandments,” and he waves the Four Species. He gives them a shake—alerting the whole world that although “others may come with chariots and horses” to inflict harm, a Jew wages his battle to build the world and make it holy through Torah and mitzvos.