Tonight we begin the last round of the Holiday of Sukkot with Hoshana Rabba, better known as the seventh day of the willow. “This is the final day of judgement for water, source of all blessing.On the seventh day of Sukkot the judgement of the world is finalized and the edicts are sent forth from the King.”(The Zohar)
The word “simple” when applied to human beings or objects, usually implies an absence of something.
On the other hand when we apply the word “simple” to spiritual matters it describes something that is pure and unique.G-d is described as “simple oneness.”
The Baal Shem Tov draws a parallel between human “simplicity” as a lack of learning and knowledge
-vs-Divine “simplicity” as the person who has simple faith in G-d. The lack of knowledge allows this simple person to connect to G-d as a child would do.
On Hoshana Rabba we celebrate the “simple Jew” by taking the simple willow
twig for a special mitzvah.
Amongst the “four kinds” (etrog,lulav, myrtle, and willow twig) the willow twig stands for the Jew who neither excels in his wisdom nor his accomplishments.
On Hoshana Rabba we ask H”S to sweeten our decrees and it is with a simple heart and mind that we acknowledge that we depend on H”S for everything. With this humbleness we arouse H”S mercy towards us. Just as the willow tree feeds itself and depends on the river for its survival and success in life, we too recognize that we feed ourselves and depend on our Father in heaven for everything.
Some excerpts taken from “60 Days…” by Rabbi Simon Jacobson
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