Halachot of Lulav and Etrog (Citron)

Lulav

• Must be sourced from a palm tree
• Length - at minimum four tefahim (14 inches long)

• Should be fresh and not dried up.

• With solid ridge which the leaves are spread evenly and is extended from the bottom up to the top.

• Our lulav is bound at 3 points along its length.

 

Etrog

• Must be sourced from a reputable source, with a tradition of being purebred.

• It should not have little black spots or any discolouration.

• It should have a nice tinge of yellow colour.
• It should have a pleasing smell

• Should be symmetrical and oblong in shape.
• It has lengthwise ridges extending from the bottom to the pittam.

• It should have a stem protruding from the end - known as a "pittum"
• The skin is evenly bumpy.

 

Myrtle (Hadas)

The minimum length that is required for the myrtle and willow twigs is three handbreadths

b) The hadassim are bound on the right side of the lulav.

Hadassim should have moist, green leaves grouped in level rows of three. There should be no large, uncovered section of stem. The stem and leaves should be whole, without any nips at the top and the leaves should go to the top of the branch. There should not be more berries than leaves and there should be no large twigs.

 

Willow (Aravah)

a) Two willow branches are attached to the lulav set.

b) The aravot are bound to the left side of the lulav, but slightly lower than the hadassim.

c) The aravot should have reddish stems with green, moist leaves. The leaves should be long, narrow and smooth-edged. There should be no nips or tears.

It is important that the four species are in the right condition. If one has any questions, one should bring the lulav set to a rabbi.

Meanings Behind the Four Species

There are several interpretations to the significance of the four species.

 

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