Lulav and Etrog: A Complete Guide to the Four Species

Holding the Harvest

There is nothing quite like the first moment of holding a lulav and etrog. The lulav is taller than you expect — a closed palm frond, slender and green, flanked by myrtle and willow branches. The etrog sits heavy in the left hand, bumpy and fragrant, its citrus scent filling the sukkah. You bring them together, say the blessing, and begin to wave — right, left, forward, up, down, back — and suddenly the abstract commandment becomes physical, embodied, real.

The four species are the centerpiece of Sukkot, the fall harvest festival. The Torah commands: “On the first day, you shall take the fruit of a beautiful tree, branches of palm trees, boughs of thick-leaved trees, and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days” (Leviticus 23:40). For three thousand years, Jews have fulfilled this commandment by gathering four specific plants and waving them in celebration.

The Four Species Explained

The arba minim (four species) are:

Lulav (palm branch). A closed frond from a date palm, tall and straight. The lulav is the most prominent of the four species — the entire set is commonly called “the lulav” — and it forms the spine of the bundle. A kosher lulav should have its central spine (the tiyomet) intact and closed; if the top leaves have split apart, it may be invalid.

Etrog (citron). A fragrant citrus fruit, larger than a lemon, with a bumpy, textured skin. The etrog is held separately in the left hand, not bound with the other three species. It is the most scrutinized of the four — selecting a beautiful etrog is a cherished tradition, and the marketplace negotiations over etrogim before Sukkot are legendary.

Hadassim (myrtle branches). Three branches of myrtle, characterized by their leaves growing in clusters of three from a single point on the stem. The myrtle’s sweet fragrance contributes to the sensory experience of the mitzvah.

Aravot (willow branches). Two branches of willow, identified by their elongated leaves and smooth (not serrated) edges. Willows wilt quickly, and they may need to be replaced during the seven-day festival.

Selecting an Etrog

Choosing an etrog is an art form, and in some communities, a competitive sport. Here is what to look for:

Shape. A quality etrog should be oblong, not round. It should be wider at the bottom (where the stem connects) and taper slightly toward the top.

Pitom. The pitom is the small woody protrusion at the top of the etrog. If the pitom has fallen off — leaving a hole — many authorities consider the etrog invalid for the first day of Sukkot (though it may be used on subsequent days). Some etrog varieties naturally grow without a pitom; these are perfectly kosher.

Skin. The etrog should have a bumpy, textured skin — this is a sign of a genuine, ungrafted citron. A smooth-skinned etrog may be a hybrid with lemon, which would disqualify it. The color should be yellow, not green (though slightly green etrogim will ripen over the holiday).

Blemishes. Black spots or discoloration on the upper half of the etrog (the chotem — the area above the widest point) can disqualify it. Spots on the lower half are generally acceptable. Small surface scratches from tree branches are usually not a problem.

Fragrance. A good etrog has a distinctive, pleasant citrus fragrance. This is one of the features that distinguishes the etrog from a lemon.

Source. Etrogim are grown in Israel, Morocco, Calabria (Italy), and other regions. Calabrian etrogim have a long tradition of use in Ashkenazi communities. Israeli etrogim are increasingly popular. The most important factor is certification that the etrog is ungrafted.

Binding the Lulav

The lulav is bound together with the hadassim and aravot before use. Here is the traditional method:

Place the lulav with its spine facing you. Position the three hadassim (myrtle) on the right side and the two aravot (willow) on the left. Bind them together with strips of palm leaf (lulavim) or raffia — traditionally with at least three bindings along the lulav.

The hadassim should be slightly higher than the aravot, and the top of the lulav should extend at least one tefach (handbreadth, approximately 3-4 inches) above the myrtle and willow.

Some communities use a holder (a ko’shiklach or lulav holder made of woven palm leaves) to keep the species in place.

The Waving Ritual

The lulav and etrog are taken together and waved each morning of Sukkot (except Shabbat) during the Hallel prayers and during the Hoshanot processional. The waving ritual is called na’anu’im.

How to hold them: The lulav (with hadassim and aravot bound to it) is held in the right hand. The etrog is held in the left hand, initially upside down (pitom pointing down). Before the blessing, the etrog is turned right-side up (pitom pointing up), and the two hands are brought together.

The blessing: Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al n’tilat lulav. (Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us regarding the taking of the lulav.) On the first day, add the Shehecheyanu blessing.

The six directions: With hands together, extend the lulav and etrog in each direction and shake three times, drawing them back toward the chest each time. The standard Ashkenazi order: right (south), left (north), forward (east), up, down, backward (west). This represents God’s presence in every direction — there is nowhere that God is not.

The Symbolism

The Midrash offers several interpretations of the four species:

Body parts. The lulav resembles the spine. The etrog resembles the heart. The myrtle’s small leaves resemble eyes. The willow’s elongated leaves resemble lips. Together, they represent serving God with the entire body.

Types of Jews. The etrog has both taste and fragrance — representing Jews who have both Torah learning and good deeds. The lulav (date palm) has taste but no fragrance — Torah but no good deeds. The myrtle has fragrance but no taste — good deeds but no Torah. The willow has neither taste nor fragrance — neither Torah nor good deeds. By binding them together, we affirm that every Jew is essential to the community.

Unity. The binding of four different plants into one bundle represents the unity of the Jewish people — diverse but inseparable.

Storage and Care

The lulav set must last seven days (or eight in the diaspora). Here is how to keep it fresh:

Willows are the most fragile. Wrap them in a damp paper towel and store in the refrigerator overnight. Replace them if they dry out completely.

Myrtle lasts longer but benefits from refrigeration. Keep the stems in water when not in use.

The lulav is durable and rarely needs special care beyond keeping it out of direct heat.

The etrog should be stored in its protective flax or foam wrapping, in a cool place. Handle it carefully — a damaged pitom can invalidate it.

Hoshanah Rabbah: The Seventh Day

The seventh day of Sukkot — Hoshanah Rabbah — brings the four species to a dramatic climax. After the morning Hoshanot processionals (seven circuits around the synagogue, compared to one circuit on other days), the willow branches are taken separately and beaten against the ground until the leaves fall off.

This striking custom symbolizes the casting away of sins — an extension of the Yom Kippur/Rosh Hashanah repentance period that reaches its final conclusion on this day. The tradition holds that the “decree” sealed on Yom Kippur is “delivered” on Hoshanah Rabbah, making it the true last opportunity for repentance.

After Sukkot, the lulav and etrog are no longer needed for the mitzvah, but many families find beautiful uses for them — storing the etrog with cloves as a besamim (spice) for Havdalah, or saving the lulav to burn with the chametz before Passover. Even in retirement, the four species continue to serve.