Lulav and Etrog (The Four Species)

The lulav, hadasim, aravot, and etrog — the four species waved during Sukkot.

By The Editors

Diving Deeper · 3 minute read

Photograph

Summary. The four species (arba’at haminim) are taken in hand during the Sukkot festival, fulfilling the commandment of Vayikra 23:40 to “take for yourselves the fruit of a beautiful tree, branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook.” The four are: etrog (citron), lulav (date palm frond), hadasim (myrtle branches), and aravot (willow branches). They are held together and waved in six directions (east, south, west, north, up, down) during Hallel and in the daily Hoshanot processions of Sukkot.

What Each Is

Etrog — Citron, a yellow citrus fruit native to the eastern Mediterranean. A kosher etrog has its pitam (the small protrusion at the top, where the flower was) intact; some varieties have the pitam break off cleanly during growth and are still kosher. The etrog should be free of blemishes, particularly in the upper third.

Lulav — Date palm frond, harvested closed (not yet fanned out). A kosher lulav has the central tiomet (twin top leaves) intact and the spine straight.

Hadasim — Myrtle branches; three are required, each with leaves growing in groups of three (meshulash) from each node.

Aravot — Willow branches; two are required, with smooth-edged leaves and reddish stems (the Salix species).

How They Are Held

The lulav is held in the right hand (left for left-handed people) with the spine facing the person, bundled together with the three hadasim on the right side and the two aravot on the left, all tied together with two or three rings of palm leaves (most lulav sets come pre-tied). The etrog is held in the left hand (right for left-handers), with the pitam facing down for the initial blessing and then turned upright. The blessing is recited (al netilat lulav and, on the first day only, shehecheyanu), then the etrog is turned right-side up, the lulav and etrog are held together, and the waving (na’anuim) is performed.

When Held

During the morning services of Sukkot (every day except Shabbat), during Hallel, and during the Hoshanot processions around the bimah. Not held on Shabbat (because of the prohibition on carrying) or on Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah.

Buying a Set

A complete set (lulav, hadasim, aravot, and etrog with case) costs $35–$200 depending on quality; particularly fine “mehudar” sets can be more. Buy from a reputable Judaica supplier or through your shul. In Israel, the Geulah market in Jerusalem and the Bnei Brak market are the great pre-Sukkot bazaars. Inspect each set carefully or have a knowledgeable friend or rabbi inspect — small defects can invalidate the set.

Symbolism

The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 30:12) reads the four species as representing four types of Jews: the etrog (which has both taste and fragrance) represents Jews who have both Torah and good deeds; the lulav (the date palm, which has taste but no fragrance) represents Jews who have Torah but no good deeds; the hadasim (fragrance but no taste) represent Jews who have good deeds but no Torah; the aravot (neither taste nor fragrance) represent Jews who have neither. We bind them together because the Jewish people is one — all four types are required.

Where Denominations Diverge

Practice is universal across denominations, though most actively observed in Orthodox communities. Reform and Conservative congregations often have a communal set used by congregants during services. Renewal and feminist traditions have developed kavvanot for the waving of the four species. Sephardic and Ashkenazi practice are essentially identical; minor differences in the waving sequence.

Sources

Torah: Vayikra 23:40.

Mishnah Sukkah 3.

Talmud Bavli, Sukkah 29b–37b.

Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Lulav.

Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 645–658.