Home

lulav

The lulav is a ritual object used during the Jewish festival of Sukkot. It is the palm frond of the date palm tree and forms the central component of one of the Four Species, the arba minim.

The Four Species include the lulav (the palm frond), etrog (a citron fruit), hadassim (myrtle branches), and

The ritual activity associated with the lulav is called netilat lulav (waving the lulav). On Sukkot, worshippers

Historically, the commandment to take the Four Species is described in biblical and rabbinic sources, including

Notes on practice vary by community and locale; some traditions differ in the exact sequence, timing, or

aravot
(willow
branches).
In
customary
practice,
the
lulav
is
bound
together
with
the
other
three
species,
typically
with
a
palm
fiber
strap,
forming
a
single
bundle
to
be
waved
during
the
holiday
rituals.
The
set
is
held
and
used
in
the
morning
prayers
as
a
symbol
of
unity
and
harvest
blessings.
recite
a
blessing
over
the
lulav,
usually
phrased
as
“Blessed
are
You,
Lord
our
God,
King
of
the
universe,
who
has
sanctified
us
with
His
commandments
and
commanded
us
regarding
the
lulav.”
After
the
blessing,
the
lulav
and
the
other
species
are
waved
in
six
directions:
east,
north,
south,
west,
up,
and
down,
signifying
God’s
sovereignty
over
all
creation.
The
gesture
may
accompany
additional
readings
or
psalms,
and
practices
vary
among
communities.
Leviticus
and
the
Talmud.
The
ritual
serves
as
a
communal
expression
of
gratitude
for
the
harvest
and
a
reminder
of
the
diversity
of
the
people
of
Israel,
each
contributing
to
the
whole.
whether
blessings
are
recited
on
certain
days
of
Sukkot.