Hag HaSukkot and Arba'at HaMinim - Complete Guide to Laws and Customs
Hag HaSukkot (חג הסוכות), also known as Zman Simchateinu (The Time of Our Joy), is one of the most important festivals in the Jewish calendar. The holiday begins on the 15th of Tishrei and lasts for seven days. The mitzvah (commandment) of Arba'at HaMinim (the Four Species) is one of the central observances of this joyous festival.
What Are Arba'at HaMinim (The Four Species)?
Lulav (לולב)
A closed palm frond - symbolizes the human spine
Represents Jews who have Torah knowledge but lack good deeds
Hadass (הדס) - Myrtle
Myrtle branches with triple leaves - symbolizes the eyes
Represents Jews who have good deeds but lack Torah knowledge
Aravah (ערבה) - Willow
Willow branches from the brook - symbolizes the lips
Represents Jews who lack both Torah and good deeds
Etrog (אתרוג) - Citron
A special citrus fruit - symbolizes the heart
Represents Jews who have both Torah knowledge and good deeds
Halachot (Laws) for Selecting Arba'at HaMinim
🌿 Halachot of the Lulav
A kosher Lulav must be:
- Straight and not bent or broken
- With closed leaves (not spread like a fan)
- Without significant defects in the leaves
- Natural green color and fresh
- Minimum length of 4 tefachim (approximately 32 cm / 12.6 inches)
- The central spine (shidrah) must be intact
🍃 Halachot of the Hadass (Myrtle)
A kosher Hadass requires:
- Triple leaves at each level (3 leaves at the same height)
- Leaves covering the branch without exposing the bark
- Minimum length of 3 tefachim (approximately 24 cm / 9.4 inches)
- Green color without dryness or browning
- No fruits or flowers
- Must be meshulash (perfectly tripled) for at least most of its length
🌾 Halachot of the Aravah (Willow)
A kosher Aravah must have:
- Elliptical (elongated) and smooth-edged leaves
- Grown near a water source (Aravat HaNachal - willow of the brook)
- No flowers or fruits
- Fresh leaves, not dried out
- Minimum length of 3 tefachim
- Red stem (distinguishing it from other willow species)
🍋 Halachot of the Etrog (Citron)
A kosher Etrog must be:
- Grown on a pure citron tree (not grafted - murkav)
- Natural yellow color (not artificially colored)
- Without significant external blemishes
- Pleasant and distinctive fragrance
- With an intact pitom (top stem) - if it grew with one
- Smooth skin, not overly bumpy
- The oketz (bottom stem) should ideally be intact
- Minimum size: large enough to hold comfortably
Mitzvat Netilat Lulav - The Proper Way to Perform the Commandment
The mitzvah of taking the Lulav is performed each day of the holiday (except Shabbat):
- Holding: Hold the Lulav in your right hand with the Hadass and Aravah bound to it
- The Etrog: Hold the Etrog in your left hand (initially upside down)
- Blessing: Recite: "Baruch Atah Hashem Elokeinu Melech HaOlam Asher Kidshanu BeMitzvotav VeTzivanu Al Netilat Lulav" (Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us concerning the taking of the Lulav)
- On the first day: Add the "Shehecheyanu" blessing
- Turning the Etrog: Turn the Etrog right-side up
- Na'anu'im (Waving): Wave in six directions: East, South, West, North, Up, and Down
- During Hallel: Wave at specific points in the prayer service
Additional Customs of Hag HaSukkot
- Dwelling in the Sukkah: All meals and activities should take place in the Sukkah
- Hallel with Arba'at HaMinim: During the morning Shacharit prayer
- Hakafot (Circuits): Circling the Bimah (platform) in the synagogue with the Four Species
- Simchat Beit HaShoevah: Celebrations and dancing commemorating the water-drawing ceremony
- Hoshana Rabbah: The seventh day with special circuits and prayers
- Ushpizin: Welcoming the seven spiritual guests (Avraham, Yitzchak, Yaakov, Moshe, Aharon, Yosef, David)
Tips for Preserving Arba'at HaMinim
Store in a cool, humid place - avoid excessive heat
Replace water each day to maintain freshness
Keep away from direct sun exposure to prevent drying
Check the kashrut (kosher status) daily, especially the leaves
Store each species in its appropriate container
The Lulav and Hadass can be refrigerated in plastic bags
Spiritual Meaning of Arba'at HaMinim
The Four Species symbolize the unity of Am Yisrael (the Jewish people):
- Etrog - Has both taste and fragrance (Torah and good deeds)
- Lulav (date palm) - Has taste but no fragrance (Torah without deeds)
- Hadass (myrtle) - Has fragrance but no taste (deeds without Torah)
- Aravah (willow) - Has neither taste nor fragrance (neither Torah nor deeds)
Together, they create the complete Jewish people. We bind them together to show that all Jews, regardless of their level of observance, are essential parts of our nation. Just as the Four Species are invalid if even one is missing, so too the Jewish people are incomplete without every single Jew.
The Significance of Sukkot in Jewish Tradition
Hag HaSukkot commemorates the 40 years that the Israelites spent wandering in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt, when they lived in temporary dwellings. The Sukkah reminds us of the Ananei HaKavod (Clouds of Glory) that protected our ancestors.
The holiday also marks the autumn harvest season, which is why it's also called Chag HaAsif (Festival of the Ingathering). It's a time to express gratitude to God for the bounty of the land and to recognize that our material blessings come from the Divine.
🎉 Chag Sameach U'Moadim L'Simcha! 🎉
Happy Holiday and Joyous Festivals!
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