India Update: Bnei Menashe sell the “four species” this Sukkot
Yehoshua Touthang and son Avi Doron selling the four species at their home for the community of Bnei Menashe in Churachandpur
For many years, Shavei Israel has been shipping the arba minim – or the “four species” used during the holiday of Sukkot – to the Bnei Menashe in India. Our special deliveries have included literally hundreds of etrogs (citrons) and lulavs (palm fronds which are ritually waved during the festival). This year, however, the Bnei Menashe began putting together their own arba minim using items found locally.
Prior to and during Sukkot, makeshift markets sprout up all over Israel, where enterprising young entrepreneurs sell the arba minim. The Bnei Menashe are now following in their footsteps. We have some great pictures of the Touthang family selling the four species in Churanchandpur, both in the Tuiboung Bazaar and at the family’s home. The results were impressive with more than 700 sold in just two days.
Similar four species markets were set up in other villages where the Bnei Menashe live. Our emissary in Manipur, India, Yochanan Phaltual, reports that, “Luckily for the villages it is not difficult to get the four species as they are easily available in nearby forests.”
Beating the willows in Churanchandpur
At the end of Sukkot holiday, after a week of waving, there is a tradition to beat the willows – part of the four species – on the ground. Here are some fun photos, also from Churachandpur.