What is the relationship between Succot and a Successful Aliya?
Do you remember the ARBA MINIM? (Four Species ) Lulav, Hadass, Aravah, Etrog?
Several explanations are offered as to why these particular species were chosen for the mitzvah in Succot. The Midrash notes that the binding of the Four Species symbolizes our desire to unite the four “types” of Jews among the Jewish People.
An allusion is made to whether or not the species (or their fruits) have taste and/or smell, which correspond to Torah and good deeds. The symbolism is as follows:
The lulav has taste but no smell, symbolizing those who study Torah but do not possess good deeds.
The hadass has a good smell but no taste, symbolizing those who possess good deeds but do not study Torah.
The aravah has neither taste nor smell, symbolizing those who lack both Torah and good deeds.
The etrog has both a good taste and a good smell, symbolizing those who have both Torah and good deeds.
Holding these four in a tight bond represents the unity that is HaShem’s goal for the Jewish People. The bond represents the conversion of a set of separate individuals into a People, which is far greater than any individual in both Torah and Good Deeds, and is far more deserving than any individual of the blessings of HaShem.
The four species and the people living in Israel today:
Like these four species, there are Israelis today composed of hundreds of “species”. Here you will find people from every corner of the globe, from every tradition, cultural background and education. They all mingle together in some kind of “semi-harmony”.
Where else can you walk in a national social security (“Bituah Leumi”) facility and ask to be served in Amaharit, Russian, English or any other language and actually be attended in that language? Where else can you witness a Moroccan guy selling cucumbers in the market (“Shuk”) answering a Russian lady in her language?
The language is only one aspect. Think about a new immigrant, very well educated and learned in the British Law System trying to understand the Israeli land registration system (“Tabu”) which is a legacy from the Turks, passed on to the British and adapted by the Israelis – a mess!
What about that nice new immigrant waiting on line when someone cut just in front of her because “she wasn’t close enough to the client in front of her”, right: They expect you to glue to the other client in front you and “comments” about his shopping are welcome…
Where else you would go to buy an American Pizza? Of course in King Gorge Street in Jerusalem! Correct, near the Yemenite Falafel and not far from that French gourmet restaurant.
Different people, different mentalities, different behaviors but still one people – one country. Better to fit in and not to create a new reality.
Don’t educate them! Show them the right way if you can:
How many times have you tried to “educate” an Israeli? I’ve tried to no real avail so try this next example: You see that man/woman cutting in front of you in line and it really shouldn’t happen, you are giving up are you? Instead of starting a fight, cut in front of him and excuse yourself saying “sorry, you are right, I was not near enough to that person so you thought I was not in line”. Whatever you do is fine but don’t try to educate them – it is a waste of time anyway.
You better understand that here in Israel you are the minority until you can finally “adapt”, mingle, accommodate and feel you belong here. People will feel it; they will know you are one of them/us now. You are always projecting yourself to others where others are always trying to understand “who is in front of them”. Don’t let them think they are better or have control, show control and don’t lose your head because in the moment you do they will win!
Pay attention to what they are telling you and not how they are telling you:
Israelis in general are rude and say whatever comes to their head first. It doesn’t mean they are bad people. It only shows a lack of understanding, poor social skills and nothing else. This is how it is here in Israel.
Instead of telling that rude clerk he/she is rude and undereducated or some enlightening sentence such as “this is not how a civil servant should behave”, try looking bad, sad and hurt and say in a very calm and slow voice: “I am really hurt by you” and from that moment until the other person says anything positive you remain silent, it doesn’t matter what. I promise you will see wonders.
You were given a contract to sign and you can’t figure out the real meaning of the words:
This will not be your first time but don’t despair. Remember that no one is threatening. You don’t have to sign on the spot. It is fine to say: “Well, I would sign it but I don’t have a clue of what it is in this document”. Like you (!) I prefer to understand what I am signing. It is not a crime to ask for a delay until you can read it. Better to lose an opportunity than take chances.
Information:
Israelis are divided into two distinct groups:
The first is the TMI group (too much information). You ask them a simple question such as: “where do you live” and the answer? “I live in a beautiful apartment at Herzl Street 28 Raanana, third floor viewing the park…”
The second group, I call it the DAQ group (don’t ask me any questions), would answer something like this: “Why? Do you work for the KGB? Why do you care? Why do you need to know?”
New immigrants are a distinguished group something similar to the TMI group. Quit the habit. The right answer for this simple question “where do you live” is: “In Raanana” (because that is where most Anglos want to be lately…).
A last word of wisdom:
Don’t try to be someone you are not just to please or be accepted.
Instead, be yourself in adaptation to the new reality.
