Introduction
Purchasing Daled Minim requires more than selecting an attractive set. Each of the four species has specific halachic requirements regarding its identity, minimum size, completeness, freshness, shape, and appearance. The Lulav requires a proper spine and Tiyomes, the Esrog must be complete and free of certain blemishes, the Hadassim must be sufficiently Meshulash, and the Aravos must retain their leaves and identifying features. Since some defects can invalidate a species, especially on the first day of Sukkos, every set should be inspected carefully before purchase and periodically throughout the festival.
Special Note for This Year
Since the first day of Sukkos falls on Shabbos, certain leniencies may apply this year, particularly in Eretz Yisrael, where the first taking of the Daled Minim occurs on Chol Hamoed. These leniencies primarily concern invalidations of Chaser, such as an Esrog missing a piece, as well as certain deficiencies involving the Tiyomes and Oketz. However, many other requirements, including Hadar, minimum sizes, correct species, and other intrinsic invalidations, remain applicable.
In the Diaspora, the regular first-day standards should initially be followed. Even in Eretz Yisrael, obtaining a complete and Mehudar set remains preferable whenever reasonably possible. The complete details and practical distinctions are beyond the scope of this summary. For a comprehensive explanation, see our separate article: What Level of Kashrus of Daled Minim May Be Used This Year? What Level of Kashrus of Daled Minim May Be Used This Year that Sukkos Falls on Shabbos?
About This Summary
The following is a brief practical summary of selected laws concerning the kashrus of the Daled Minim. Due to space limitations, many details, opinions, exceptions, footnotes, and source references have been omitted. For the complete discussion, practical applications, illustrations, Chassidic customs, and source references, please see our Sefer on Sukkos or visit the Daled Minim section of ShulchanAruchHarav.com.
- The Lulav
The Lulav should come from a valid date-palm species. Due to disagreement regarding the Canary Island palm, one should purchase a Lulav with a reliable tradition and identification.
Minimum Length
- The spine of the Lulav should measure at least 32 centimeters. The measurement is taken along the actual spine and does not include the upper section where the spine has already divided into the Tiyomes leaves.
- The Lulav’s spine must extend at least one Tefach above the Hadassim and Aravos. Therefore, longer Hadassim and Aravos require a correspondingly longer Lulav.
The Tiyomes
The Tiyomes is the central upper leaf of the Lulav. Ideally:
- It is double-leafed throughout its length.
- Both sides remain completely attached.
- It is closed even at its upper tip.
- Its top is not cut or missing.
- It is fresh and not dried out.
A completely separated Tiyomes presents a serious problem on the first day of Sukkos which is Biblical. A minor split does not necessarily invalidate the Lulav, although one should initially purchase a Lulav whose Tiyomes is fully closed.
Shape and Condition
- The spine should be straight and should not bend forward or sideways. The leaves should not be severely curved, doubled over, or shaped with conspicuously rounded tips known as Kneplach.
- The Lulav should be fresh and green. A Lulav that has become white and brittle from dryness may be invalid.
- Some are particular to purchase a Lulav whose upper leaves remain held together by the natural brown covering known as a Kora or Kara. This was the preference associated with the Rebbe.
✅ Lulav Checklist
- Spine measures at least 32 cm.
- Spine extends one Tefach above the Hadassim and Aravos.
- Tiyomes is double-leafed and closed.
- Tiyomes is not cut.
- Spine is straight.
- Leaves are not severely bent.
- Lulav and Tiyomes are not dry.
- Some prefer a natural brown Kora.
- The Esrog
The Esrog requires particularly careful examination because its kashrus may be affected by missing pieces, unusual spots, growths, dryness, or damage to the Pitam and Oketz.
Completeness
- On the first day of Sukkos which is Biblical, an Esrog may not be missing any piece from its actual body.
- A natural indentation does not necessarily indicate that something is missing. Likewise, ordinary scarring caused while the Esrog was growing can be kosher when the damaged area healed completely.
- The Esrog does not require inspection with a magnifying glass. Potential defects are generally evaluated according to what can be seen with the unaided eye at a normal viewing distance.
Pitam and Oketz
- If an Esrog naturally grew without a Pitam, it may be completely kosher.
- If it originally grew with a Pitam and the Pitam later broke off in a manner that exposed the body of the Esrog, the Esrog may be invalid.
- The bottom stem, known as the Oketz, must remain in place. If the outer portion was shortened but enough remains to cover the recessed area completely, the Esrog remains kosher.
Chotem, Spots, and Chazazis
The Chotem is the upper sloping area of the Esrog where it begins narrowing toward the Pitam.
The Chotem should be free of:
- An evident Chazazis.
- Black or white spots.
- Problematic color changes.
- Halachically significant dryness.
- Below the Chotem, one evident spot may not necessarily invalidate the Esrog.
- Multiple spots or growths can be more problematic, depending upon their position and how much of the Esrog they cover.
- Natural leaf marks known as Bletlach are kosher and are not considered problematic color changes or Chazazis.
Color, Size, and Origin
- The Esrog should preferably be yellow. An Esrog that remains completely unripe and green is problematic unless it has begun ripening and turning yellow.
- Its minimum size is approximately the volume of a Kebeitzah. The supplied material gives a practical approximate weight of 2 grams.
- A grafted Esrog is invalid. One should therefore purchase an Esrog from a reliable source with an established tradition that it is not grafted. The Chabad tradition is to use a Yanover or Calabria Esrog from Italy.
- An Esrog grown in Eretz Yisrael requires reliable supervision regarding Terumos, Maasros, Orlah, and, when relevant, Shemittah.
✅ Esrog Checklist
- No missing pieces.
- Pitam is intact if the Esrog originally grew with one.
- Oketz covers the bottom indentation.
- No evident Chazazis or problematic spot on the Chotem.
- No multiple problematic areas below the Chotem.
- Bletlach are acceptable.
- Esrog is fresh and not dried out.
- Preferably yellow.
- Comes from a reliable, non-grafted tradition.
- Israeli Esrog has reliable certification.
- The Hadassim
A kosher Hadas must have the identity of a braided myrtle, meaning that its leaves grow in sets of three.
Minimum Length
- Each Hadas should measure at least 24 centimeters.
- There is no maximum length. However, the Lulav’s spine must remain one Tefach taller than the Hadassim.
Meshulash
- A set is Meshulash when three leaves emerge at the same horizontal level around the branch.
- Ideally, the Hadas should be Meshulash throughout the required 24-centimeter length. At minimum, the majority of that required length must be Meshulash.
- A branch whose leaves consistently grow in an improper pattern is a Hadas Shoteh and may not be used.
Leaves and Top
- Ideally, all the leaves should remain attached. The Hadas remains kosher when it retains the halachically required majority.
- The top of the wooden branch should preferably remain intact. If only the upper leaves fell off while the stem remained complete, the Hadas may still be used.
- Random leaves interfering with the proper sets should preferably be removed before Yom Tov.
Freshness
- The leaves should remain green and fresh.
- A Hadas whose leaves have lost their color, turned white, and become brittle may be invalid.
✅ Hadassim Checklist
- Each Hadas is at least 24 cm.
- Majority of the required length is Meshulash.
- Three leaves emerge at the same level.
- Majority of leaves remain attached.
- Top of the branch is intact.
- Leaves remain green and fresh.
- Remove interfering wild leaves before Yom Tov.
- The Aravos
A kosher Aravah is identified by its branch, leaf shape, and leaf edges.
Identifying Features
A kosher Aravah has:
- A species of stem that turns red.
- Long, narrow leaves.
- Smooth or very finely serrated edges.
Leaves with large, saw-like serrations are problematic.
Minimum Length
- Each Aravah should measure at least 24 centimeters.
- If an Aravah is excessively long, it should be shortened from the bottom rather than the top.
Top and Leaves
- The top of the actual wooden stem must remain intact, otherwise it is invalid.
- A missing top leaf alone does not necessarily invalidate the Aravah, although many prefer an Aravah with its upper Lavluv leaf because it indicates that the branch itself was not cut.
- The Aravah must retain a majority of its leaves throughout the required 24-centimeter length. If most leaves fall off, droop after separating from their points of growth, split, or dry out, the Aravah may become invalid.
- Because Aravah leaves frequently fall during binding and shaking, the Aravos should be checked daily. It is advisable to have replacement branches available.
✅ Aravos Checklist
- Each Aravah is at least 24 cm.
- Stem is of a species that reddens.
- Leaves are long and narrow.
- Edges are smooth or finely serrated.
- Top of the wooden branch is intact.
- Majority of leaves remain attached.
- Leaves are not white and dry.
- Inspect and replace when necessary.
Quick-Reference Chart
| Species | Minimum size | Principal inspection |
| Lulav | 32 cm spine | Closed Tiyomes, straight and fresh |
| Esrog | Approximately a Kebeitzah | Complete, intact Pitam and Oketz, clean Chotem |
| Hadassim | 24 cm | Majority Meshulash with intact leaves |
| Aravos | 24 cm | Correct identity, intact top and majority leaves |
Common Red Flags
- Completely split or cut Tiyomes.
- Bent or significantly warped Lulav spine.
- Missing piece from the Esrog.
- Broken Pitam exposing the Esrog.
- Problematic spot or Chazazis on the Chotem.
- Esrog without a reliable non-grafted tradition.
- Hadas that is not majority Meshulash.
- Cut top of an Aravah branch.
- Majority of Aravah leaves missing.
- Any species that has become halachically dry.