The Joyous Aravah

“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the Aravah willow, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy (Isaiah 35:1).”

When a person sanctifies his speech, the Aravah represents the mouth, and uses it to express joy and love for God; then even the Aravah, which has no taste or fragrance, will, “it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy (Divrei Shmuel, Ki Tissa).”

With each joyous movement of the Aravah in every direction, accompanied by the loving song of the Hallel, we pray for the ability to sanctify our speech, and find meaning in prayers, study, and observances, that have previously been without taste or smell.