The Lulav and Etrog: The Four Kinds
Every day of Sukkot (except Shabbat) we take the Arba Minim, aka "Four Kinds." Sukkot is a seven-day holiday starting on Tishrei 15 and concluding on Tishrei 21.
What are the four kinds? A palm branch (lulav), two willows (aravot), a minimum of three myrtles (haddasim), and one citron (etrog). The first three kinds are neatly bundled together—your Arba Minim vendor can assemble it for you. Click here for a guide to binding the lulav.
Not all sets of Arba Minim on the market are kosher. Check with your rabbi. And treat your set with TLC—they're fragile goods!
Arba Minim is a man's obligation. For women, it's optional but encouraged. Best place for doing this mitzvah is the sukkah, the outdoor holiday booth.
Hold the lulav in your right hand (unless you're a lefty) with its spine facing you. Face east and say:
Blessed are You, L-rd our G‑d, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded regarding taking the Lulav.
[On the first day of Sukkot (or the first time on Sukkot you get to do this), at this point say:
Blessed are You, L-rd our G‑d, King of the Universe, who has granted us life, sustained us and enabled us to reach this occasion.]
Bring the lulav and etrog together and wave them—you've done the mitzvah!
Nevertheless, the custom is to wave the Arba Minim in all six directions—south, north, east, up, down and west. Click here for an illustrated guide to shaking the Four Kinds.
Take along your Arba Minim to the synagogue for the morning services. We wave them again during the hallel prayer and then parade them around the synagogue during the hosha'anot ceremony.
Jewish unity is one of the central themes of Sukkot. The four kinds you are holding symbolize four types of Jews, with differing levels of Torah knowledge and observance. Bringing them together represents our unity as a nation—despite our external differences. So in this spirit of unity, be sure to share your Arba Minim with your Jewish friends and neighbors!
Click here to purchase a set of Arba Minim.
Note: On the first two days of Sukkot, the mitzvah can only be fulfilled using one's own Four Kinds. As such, if using someone else's set, it needs to be given as "a present, conditional on its return." You can then use the set—your set—and then you return it, as a gift, to its original owner.
How to Wave the Lulav and Etrog Here is how to wave the lulav and etrog according to Chabad custom, both when fulfilling the mitzvah and again during Hallel
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How to Set Up the Lulav Bundle In order to beautify the mitzvah, we fasten together the lulav, hadassim and aravot (palm frond, myrtle branches and willow branches). Here's how it's done . . .
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15 Facts You Should Know About the Etrog This fine-smelling yellowish fruit has a special place in Judaism.
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Join the Discussion
Do we light candles everyday of Sukkot?
No, candles are lit the first two nights of Sukkot, followed by evening prayers, Kiddush, challah and a festive meal in the Sukkah.
On Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, the holiday which immediately follows Sukkot, we also say Kiddush the first two nights.
Do we shake. The luluv and strong every night of Sukkot
The Lulav and Esrog are shaken during the day time, every day of Sukkot except on Shabbat.
Siddur Page 306, 643, and 179
The four species represent 4 characters of people. Please share what means which. Thanks
The lulav (date tree frond), which has a sweet taste (dates) but no particular smell, represents the Jewish scholar, who dedicated to internalizing knowledge (taste) but does not distinguish himself by his good deeds.
The hadas (myrtle branch), which has a pleasant smell and no taste, represents the one who is outstanding in his performance of good deeds, which positively affect one’s environment - like a “good smell”, but lacks outstanding Torah scholarship.
The etrog (citrus fruit), which has both a good taste and a good smell, represents one that excels both in Torah study as well as in good deeds.
The aravah (willow branch), which has no special smell or taste, represents the person who does not excel in either one of the aforementioned qualities.
does anyone know where i can purchase an organic etrog (no pesticides sprayed on it)
Where in the Bible does it specify the four types that we are supposed to use/shake for Sukkot? I'm doing a presentation, and I want to read the quote, but I can't find it by searching on "myrtle". Thanks very much!
Sure, it is mentioned in
Leviticus 23:40.
palm trees, boughs of leafy * [leafy Meaning of Heb. ‘aboth uncertain. trees] and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before your God יהוה seven days.
Hi!
I’m humbly curious as to where the oral custom of waving the lulav and etrog come from?
Vayikra 23:40 says “…day one…” in regards of the four kinds and goes on to say rejoice for The Most High for seven days.
Is this simply for unity sake, the representation of different people?
Leviticus 23. Unity of the whole house of Israel and it doesn't matter at what level of spirituality you are, you dwell with all 4 Arba Minim species or peoples in the Sukkah.
Because the mitzvah of the four kinds is mentioned together with the mitzvah of the sukkah (which is for seven days), the sages extended the seven-day observance to that mitzvah as well.
what are the most reputable websites to buy them from
What is the symbolism of 4 minim
In a nutshell: the four different minim represent four types of people. We are all one. See here for futher elaboration. 4899696
Unfortunately , the 4 types of people is TALMUDIC NOT From TORAH .
The differing types of trees must be gathered from different locations. To bring the Land and the People of Israel together as did the crops.
Sure, it's an insight taught in the oral tradition. But like anything else in the Torah, we usually know the how the why because of the oral tradition.
What does Pitom mean? "Lulav and Etrog From Israel - No Pitom . thanks
The pitom is the tip of the etrog.
The pitom is a little thing on top of the esrog - it looks like a little stick with a ball on top. If the pitom comes off once the esrog is off the tree it makes the esrog pasul (invalid) and you are unable to use it on sukkos. If the pitom came off when the esrog was growing, however, the esrog is perfectly good. Therefor, esrogim are sold with and without the pitom - so the esrog you are reffering to is one that the pitom fell off while it was still on the tree.
If it's not "kosher" they should not be selling it. It's useless. :-(
Which side of the etrog is 'up'
The side that comes to a bit of a point is the top, and the side that is a bit wider with a stem is the bottom. Gutt yom tov!
Yom Tov,
Thank you for the explanation.
Easy to read. Easy to follow.
Shalom,
David
Thanks, I learned so much about the lulav bundle from this text.
So helpful! Thank you. May we celebrate in unity with Moshiach!
A palm branch (lulav), two willows (aravot), a minimum of three myrtles (hadassim) and one citron (etrog).
Could you please tell why using a specific number of each kind?
The Elyah Rabbah (Orach Chaim 651:1) writes: "All together, seven, corresponding to the seven heavens. One palm branch, representing the one G-d. One citron, representing the one nation (Israel). Three myrtle branches, representing the three forefathers, and two willow branches, representing the two Tablets".
On a more Kabbalistic note, the three myrtle branches represent the three sefirot: Chesed, Gevurah, and Tiferet. The two willow branches represent Netzach and Hod. The Lulav represents Yisod, and the etrog represents Malchut. See chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/361885/jewish/The-Sefirot.htm
A good Yom Tov to all. For the last three years I tried to grow willow and myrtle from the lulav. I placed them in water and hoped. I finally succeeded last year with the willow. I planted the rooted willow in a very damp area and over the summer it is over 6 feet tall. NJ location. Try it, it’s fun.
That's wonderful, Congratulations!
👍
Do we shake the Luluv Tonight 9/24 and tomorrow 9/25 for Shabbat?
We don't shake the Lulav on Shabbat as it is muktzeh, an item which cannot be touched or used on Shabbat. Also, when it is not Shabbat, we shake the Lulav during the day, not at night. Shabbat Shalom!
Anyone ever heard of a "Dori Lulav"?
nope haha
You mean a Deri lulav?
This is fascinating..love all the definitions and instructions...I'd love to try to make my own. Thanks so much! Shalom.
Where are some places people can buy these in the US?
Contact a Chabad house near you, they can help you with that! chabad.org/centers
Where can I put the Luluv and the etrog
During Sukkot you can put it on a counter or table. On Shabbat you'll want to put it on a counter or shelf that is not used as we may not touch it on Shabbat. After Sukkot store it anywhere you wish, until Pesach, when it is burned with the chametz.