Shaking the Luvav

Chaviva Posner

Goldie, this is a touching story! There was some repetition (for example, the word “cuz”) that we removed. Also, I understand why you wanted the idea of always smiling to be repeated, but we did find it a bit over-emphasized and tweaked accordingly. Overall, nice job!

Zevi

It’s a shame that I’m not able to shake the lulav and esrog by myself anymore. I still remember doing it six years ago, when I was only three years old. I was so excited that I dropped the esrog and broke Zaidy’s pitom! Thankfully, it was the last day of the chag, so Zaidy didn’t get upset. It was also the last day that I ever shook an esrog. Because of the accident, I’m not able to do it anymore. At least I got my chance back then. It’ll be ok though. I’m not worried because this year Savta will help me.

It’s always a little hard for me when we learn about Sukkos in cheder. Every year, when Rebbi starts teaching the laws about shaking the lulav and esrog, the other boys in my class look at my wheelchair and my arms hanging limply on the armrests, and they pretend not to be so excited. They are trying to be nice since they know that I can’t shake the lulav and esrog because my hands don’t work, so they make believe that it’s not even a mitzvah. But I know it is.

Savta knows that I love doing all the mitzvos. In fact, ever since she came to live with us, we started this ritual that nobody knows about. I wheel myself to her bedroom early every morning to give tzedakah. But don’t tell anyone; I think Savta wants it to be a secret. Savta has not been able to talk since her stroke, but I’m pretty sure that when she puts her finger on her lips, it means that I shouldn’t tell anyone. I don’t know what a stroke is, but it’s probably something that’s annoying for Savta. Because now she’s not able to sing anymore. The only sounds she makes are funny noises that sound a little like a truck. It doesn’t change our relationship though. Savta always used to say that all that matters is a smile, so I always smile, even though I’m a little sad for her.

Mommy doesn’t know that I’m becoming such a mitzvah boy. I think Savta will let me tell her when the whole pushke is full. That’s going to take a very long time because it’s hard for Savta to lift my hands every morning. I know that they don’t cooperate very well. I wish they would just listen and put the coins in nicely, without causing them to scatter all over the place. Usually, I’m only able to get in one coin before my special van comes to pick me up for cheder. But I’m still happy because I know I’m really lucky that I get to do this mitzvah.

I’m so excited for Sukkos. I know that Savta will help me shake the lulav and esrog. Totty and Mommy always just leave me to watch because they don’t want to bother me, but Savta knows that I want to do the mitzvah. Even if it means lifting my hand and getting a little embarrassed from the funny motions they make by themselves. I used to cry when that happened, but that just made more people stare at me. Savta never told me that I couldn’t cry, but she did say that I should always smile. And I don’t know how to do both at the same time.

I really can’t wait for the first day of Sukkos; I just hope that I don’t break the pitom!

Me and Savta made a deal, and I’m super excited for that too…

Savta

I love my Zevi. I love all my grandkids, but Zevi has a special place in my heart. He has a special neshamah. I’m noticing it more now that I moved in with the family. Miriam and Boruch raise them well; I can’t stop myself from taking some of the credit, of course. But Zevi, he’s something different.

My heart goes out to him, confined to that seat the entire day. He’s still always so happy. He never complains; he knows how to make his siblings laugh, and he knows how to make me forget that I can’t speak anymore.

I’m looking forward to Sukkos. I just hope that Miriam doesn’t get upset when I help Zevi shake the lulav and esrog. I think that Zevi and I share a bond because we are both misunderstood sometimes. I’m not complaining of course; I am so blessed in so many areas of my life. Sukkos is always a beautiful Yom Tov. Watching the children play outside in their new Yom Tov finery always brings a smile to my face. Yom Tov davening always touches me, but this year I’ll only be able to listen. I’m very excited though because Zevi and I made a deal.

His eyes lit up when he told me of his idea, and I’m only more eager to follow through. “This year we are gonna help each other,” he said. “Just because you can’t talk anymore Savta, and just because I can’t move my hands by myself, doesn’t mean that we can’t do the mitzvah. I’m gonna say the brachah for you, and you’re gonna help me shake the lulav and esrog. We are going to do this together, and Hashem will be so happy.”

Zevi

I think that Savta is also very excited for Sukkos; I just went into her room, and I saw her crying…but with a huge smile on her face.