Tel Tzion Celebrates Sukkot With Large "Simchat Beit HaShoeva" Gathering

The central "Simchat Beit HaShoeva" (rejoicing of the water-drawing ceremony) took place yesterday in Tel Tzion, attended by numerous community leaders and residents. Among the dignitaries present were former Chief Rabbi and president of the Leo Center, Rabbi David Lau; Head of the Binyamin Regional Council and Chairman of the Yesha Council, Yisrael Gantz; Mara d'Atra and Ga'avad of the "Hukat HaMishpat" community, Rabbi Elhanan Peretz; Mara d'Atra Rabbi Avraham Goldberg; Ahiya Francis; community rabbis; and local leadership.

Yisrael Gantz addressed the gathering, speaking about the significance of the "Four Species" used during Sukkot and the holiday's connection between material abundance and spirituality. He described Tel Tzion as a place of Torah and growth, stating, "Thanks to this special place, this special community of Tel Tzion, and thanks to the wise scholars who increase Torah love here, we will merit that an abundance of light and Torah will emerge from here." Gantz further emphasized, "With the Four Species, we bring everything to the Master of the Universe. This is the holiday when the year's rains are blessed, and the material and spiritual are connected."

Harel Amar, director of Tel Tzion, also spoke at the event. He explained the custom of taking a lulav, noting that while the taste is in the etrog, the lulav is primary as it "envelops and protects the etrog." Amar expressed gratitude to the community's rabbis, the Binyamin Regional Council, and specifically its head, Yisrael Gantz, for their "constant support, accompaniment, and care for the community of Tel Tzion."