Length

Length:[1] The length of the Hadassim must be at least three Tefachim [24cm.] How much is three Tefachim? Some Poskim rule that every Tefach is 4 Agudlin and hence three Tefachim is 12 Agudlin [24cm.] Others rules that each Tefach is 3.33 Agudlin and hence three Tefach is 10 Agudlin […]

The source

The source for an Esrog:[1] The verse states one is to take a “Peri Eitz Hadar”. The Sages deduced from the superfluous word “tree” that the fruit referred to in the verse contain a tree bark that has the same taste as its fruit, and this is an Esrog, as […]

Identity

  The identity of the Hadas:[1] The Torah states that one is to take a Anaf Eitz Avos. This refers to a branch that grows leaves in a chain like braid form which covers most of the branch. This is unlike other branches in which the leaves do not braid […]

Is an Esrog Muktzah

Is an Esrog Muktzah on Shabbos? Esrogim designated as merchandise:[1] If the owner is particular to not use it for any purpose [such as not even to smell] then they are MMC”K.[2] Esrogim of personal use: Esrogim which one has bought for personal use are not Muktza on Shabbos, as […]

Carrying on Yom Tov

On Yom Tov may one carry his Daled Minim back home after having used it for the Mitzvah?[1] [It is forbidden for one to carry on Yom Tov in an area without an Eiruv for a non-Yom Tov need.[2]] it is forbidden to carry the Daled Minim in a Reshus […]

Replacing Hadassim & Aravos

Replacing the Hadasim and Aravos on Chol Hamoed: [1] One should replace the Hadassim and Aravos as the days go on in accordance to need.[2] [We are however not particular to switch the Aravos daily, as is the custom of others.[3]] How to replace the Hadasim and Aravos:[4] One is […]

Watering species

Watering the Lulav, Hadassim and Aravos:[1] It is a Mitzvah to keep the Lulav, Hadasim and Aravos fresh and good looking. One is to do so by placing them in a vase of water.[2] It is a Mitzvah to change the waters during Chol Hamoed in order to ensure their […]

Kara

Kara:[1] Some are particular to purchase a Lulav with the brownish leaf covering called the Kara.[2] Others are particular not to purchase such a Lulav. [The Rebbe was particular to purchase a Lulav which its top leaves are attached with a brownish leaf called a Kara. [3]]   [1] Oatzer […]

How to shake

How to Bentch Lulav: When: One is to awaken early in the morning to perform the Mitzvah of Daled Minim.[1] One may begin shaking Lulav from sunrise. If one is traveling he may shake Lulav starting from after Alos.[2] Eating prior to shaking:[3] It is forbidden to eat before shaking […]

Binding the Lulav

Binding the Lulav:[1] When: The custom is to bind the Lulav on Erev Sukkos inside the Sukkah.  [The Rebbe would do so after midday.[2]] Who: Those who are meticulous bind the Lulav themselves. Women and children are not to do so for a man’s Lulav.[3] How: The Chabad custom is […]

A bent Lulav

A bent Lulav:[1]  A. Spine is bent:[2] The middle of the spine is bent: If the spine of the Lulav is bent towards its front making it appear like a hunchback, it is not kosher.[3] Similarly if it is bent to its side it is invalid.[4] If the middle of […]

Children

Giving it to a Katan:[1] On the first day of Sukkos in Eretz Yisrael, and the first two days of Sukkos in the Diaspora, one is not to give his personal Daled Minim to any child below the age of 13 for a boy and 12 for a girl, to […]

A Lulav with wrinkles

A Lulav with wrinkles:[1] If the spine contains needles or if the Lulav is wrinkled it is invalid.[2] [1] 645/18 [2] Regarding the definition of wrinkles see Kashrus Daled Minim p. 96 which says if the tips are wrinkled it is invalid. However in Piskeiy Teshuvos  645/12 he argues that […]

Using another persons set

Using another persons Daled Minim: A. First day of Sukkos:[1] On the 1st day of Sukkos [in Eretz Yisrael and the first two days of Sukkos in the Diaspora as will be explained next] one only fulfills his obligation with a set of Daled Minim which he personally owns. Therefore […]

A dry Lulav

A dry Lulav:[1] A Lulav which majority of its leaves have withered, or majority of its spine has withered, to the point it has turned whitish should not be used unless absolutely no other Lulav is available. If it has dried to the point it can be broken by touching […]

A cut leaf

A cut leaf:[1] Tiyomes: Lechatchilah, if the Tiyomes leaf was even partially cut at its top it should not be used. If however no other Lulav is available, then if its majority length is still intact, it may be used with a blessing. If majority of it has been cut, […]

How many of each species

How many of each species is one to take: One may not use for the mitzvah more than 1 Esrog, 1 Lulav, and 2 Aravos. However one may add on to the 3 Hadassim. Various people have been instructed to take 4, 12, 13, or 26 Hadassim, but not 9, […]

Tiyomes

The law of the Tiyomes:[1] What is the Tiyomes? Special attention must be given to the middle upper leaf of the Lulav called the Tiyomes. The Tiyomes is the middle upper most leaf which extends from the spine. It grows in the center of the Lulav and is considered the […]

When to buy

When to buy a set of Lulav and Esrog: Some[1] write that one is to try to purchase a set of Daled Minim during Aseres Yimei Teshuvah in order to add in merits for the day of Yom Kippur and have these merits overturn the judgment. Others[2] however write that […]

A Split leaf

A split leaf:[1] The growth of the Lulav leaf: The leaves of the Lulav grow in a pair of two leaves which are parallel to each other. The two leaves are attached to each other by their back and open in their front. If the leaves of the Lulav split: […]

Shaking in Jerusalem

Is the shaking of Daled Minim in Jerusalem during exile a Biblical or Rabbinical obligation throughout all seven days? Some Poskim[1] rule that according to some Rishonim[2] the shaking of Daled Minim in the old city of Jerusalem is a Biblical obligation for all seven days of the festival. Due […]

Leaves bound together

Must the leaves be bound together:[1]    It is a Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar to purchase a Lulav which its leaves have not separated at all from the spine[2] and are thus completely bound.[3] If the leaves began hardening and separating from the spine, it is valid so long as the […]

Hadar

Hadar:[1] The Torah states that the Esrog must be Hadar which means beautiful in appearance and growth. This applies likewise to all four species, as the command of all four species are written in the same verse, hence juxtaposing them together and creating a legal bridge to transfer laws from […]

How many leaves

How many leaves must cover the spine of the Lulav?[1] How the leaves of the Lulav grow: The Lulav contains a spine which is covered with leaves that grow at a distance of every four centimeters. Thus after the first leaf grows on the spine another leaf grows 4 centimeter […]

Every person own set

Every person is to have his own set of Daled Minim:[1] Every person is to have his own set of Daled Minim. Charity organizations are to insure that every person can have his own set of Daled Minim and be able to build their own Sukkah.   Buying Daled Minim […]

Length

Length:[1]  The length of the spine of the Lulav must be four Tefach. If the Hadassim or Aravos are more than three Tefach than the spine of the Lulav must be at least one Tefach higher than the Hadassim and Aravos. How much is four Tefachim? Some Poskim rule that […]

Showing to Rav

Showing the species to a Rav:  Due to the vast amount of Halachos involved in the kashrus of the four species it is strongly recommended that one show them to a Rav to make sure it fulfills the Halachic requirements, and to verify what level of hiddur it has. Due […]

The identity

The identity of the Lulav:[1] The Torah states that one is to take a Kapos Temarim. This refers to a branch that grows on a date palm.   Q&A Are branches from the male palm trees that do not grow dates valid? Yes. It is not necessary for the palm […]

Sukkah after Sukkos

What is one to do with the Sukkah after Sukkos?[1] After Sukkos one is not required to bury the wood used for Sechach and it may be used and benefited from as one sees fit. Nevertheless it is proper to beware not to use it for a belittling use as […]

Sukkah Decorations-The Custom

 Noiy Sukkah-Sukkah decorations: The Custom:[1] It is a widespread and old age custom amongst Jewry to decorate the Sukkah with different fruits, ornaments, and valuables.[2] It is a Mitzvah to do so.[3] This is done to express beautification of the Mitzvah, and it is thus fit to be done […]

Areas without Sechach

May one eat under an area in the Sukkah that is not covered [is open to the sky]? If the area is less than 3×3 Tefach it is permitted to eat under the area. If the uncovered area stretches from wall to wall, then if it is three Tefach wide, […]

Sechach extends past wall

Sechach that extends past the walls of a Sukkah: Contains two extending walls:[1] If a Sukkah contains Sechach that extends past the back wall of the Sukkah, and the two horizontal walls likewise extend past the back wall, then if that area is at least 7x 7 Tefachim, it is […]

How much Sechach

    How much shade is the Sechach required to provide:[1] The Sechach must provide enough shade for there to be more shade than sunlight in the Sukkah. Thus even if the Sechach is very thin and thus allows sunlight to enter, so long as it provides majority shade to […]

Non-Kosher Sechach mixed in

The law if non-Kosher Sechach is mixed together with the Kosher Sechach, or is sitting on top of it: We consider the non-Kosher Sechach as nullified when all the following conditions are fulfilled: There is enough Kosher Sechach to give majority of shade on its own There is a lot […]

Mamad-The supports of the Sechach

Must the items which support the Sechach [The “Mamad”] be themselves kosher for Sechach?[1] From the letter of the law the Sechach may be placed over a wall made of any material, even a material which can contract impurity. However the Sages decreed that initially the Sechach should only be […]

Store owners

Store owners:[1] People that work in stores remain obligated to eat and dwell in a Sukkah, and hence are to build a Sukkah near their store and it is forbidden to eat in the store. If they are unable to build a Sukkah near the store they must return to […]

Shemita-Sechach

May one cut Sechach during Shemitah to use for his Sukkah?[1] Yes. However it is best to do so in an irregular method than that used for trimming trees.   Does Sechach have Kedushas Sheviis?[2] No. [1] Rambam 1/15-21; 2/2-8; Shabbos Haaretz 1/18-5 [2] Rambam 5/21; 7/14 Bookmark

City guards

City guards:[1] Guards of a city, which surveillance the city for enemy attacks, are exempt from dwelling or eating in a Sukkah during their time of surveillance. However after their duty is over they are obligated to eat in a Sukkah.   Does a soldier on guard in the IDF […]

Bamboo Mats

Must the commonly sold bamboo Sechach mats contain a reliable Rabbinical supervision?[1] Yes. This is due to the fact that in some countries the mats are actually used for roofing or other vessel purpose in which the ruling in Shulchan Aruch dictates that it may then not be used as […]

One who is traveling

One who is traveling: One who is traveling during the holiday of Sukkos through in an uninhabited area and is sleeping and eating in the fields is exempt from building a Sukkah.[1] However when he arrives to a town, even a town of gentiles, and he desires to eat or […]

Wood Boards

May one use wood boards[1] as Sechach? Wooden planks[2]:[3] All wooden planks which are slightly wide, similar to a table, and is thus fit to support things, is Rabbinically invalid for Sechach.[4] These planks may not even be used to support the Sechach. Boards of 4 Tefach:[5] Boards which are […]

Mitztaer-One who is pain

The laws of Mitztaer: A. General Rule:[1] One is only obligated to dwell in his Sukkah in the same matter that he would dwell in his home. Thus one who is pained to dwell in his Sukkah and through leaving the Sukkah he will be saved from this pain, then […]

Kosher Schach

The general ruling:[1] The following criteria are required for a material to be valid Sechach: The material grows from the ground. The material is currently detached from the ground The material has not been formed into an item which can receive impurity. The reason for this is: It is learned […]

Blessing of Leisheiv BaSukkah

The blessing of Leisheiv Bassukah When is the blessing of Leisheiv said? The blessing of ‘Leishev Basukkah’ is only said when eating a Kebeitza [55 grams] of Mezonos or Hamotzi [within Achilas Peras].[1] It is not said prior to other actions of dwelling such as a set drinking session, or […]

Candles

Candles:[1] One must have light in his Sukkah  and thus he is to enter candles in the Sukkah. If there a fire hazard one may not bring it into the Sukkah even if it is made of gold. One may not enter earthenware candles into his Sukkah [due to it […]

Two story Sukkah

A two story Sukkah:[1] If one built a Sukkah on top of another Sukkah then if the floor of the top Sukkah, which serves also as the Sechach for the top Sukkah, is able to support pillows and blankets [and a person eating and sleeping[2]], then although the top Sukkah […]

Belittling acts

  Belittling acts in the Sukkah:[1] One may not do any belittling acts inside the Sukkah. Thus one may not clean the dishes inside the Sukkah, although drinking cups may be washed down.    Q&A May one use a Sukkah as a short cut? No. One is not to make […]

Items to enter into Sukkah

  Items to enter into the Sukkah: One should enter his most beautiful vessels, tapestries, and drinking utensils into the Sukkah. However one is not to enter flour vessels and other vessels that are normally not left out within the house.[1] Pots, pans and plates are to be removed from […]

Awnings & Sukkah roofs

Building a Sukkah under a retractable roof-Placing Kosher Sechach under non-Kosher Sechach and then removing the non-Kosher Sechach:[1] No need to replace the Sechach: Such as if one built a Sukkah under a removable roof, then if one removes the non-Kosher Sechach from above, then the Sukkah is valid. The […]

Sleeping

Sleeping in Sukkah:[1] It is forbidden to sleep outside of a Sukkah even a mere nap.[2] If one feels cold in the Sukkah, due to the cold weather and lack of blankets, then he is not obligated to sleep in the Sukkah. Furthermore if one is unable to set up […]

Pergolas & Ceiling frames

Making a Sukkah in a room that has had its roofing removed, but has its ceiling frame remain: A. If the ceiling frame is material Kosher for Sechach:[1] If the ceiling supports[2] are made of material kosher for Sechach, then one may make the Sukkah under this frame, or place […]

Davening

Davening in a Sukkah:[1] If one is unable to Daven in Shul, then if he is able to Daven in his Sukkah without disturbances and with a clear mind and proper concentration, he must do so.[2] This however only applies if he is unable to go to Shul, however if […]

Items hovering over Sechach

The law if Non-Kosher Sechach [Tree or ledge] is hovering over ones Sukkah: A. The shade must come as a result of Kosher Sechach:[1] Just like by the clouds of glory it was the actual clouds which gave us shade from the sun, similarly a Sukkah is only valid when […]

Learning Torah

Learning in a Sukkah:[1] One must learn Torah inside the Sukkah. Learning in a Beis Midrash: (However if he is learning inside the Beis Midrash he is not required to enter the Sukkah). Learning outside under fresh air: Likewise if by learning outside one is able to delve into the […]

Drinking wine-Kiddush-Havdala

Drinking wine and other significant beverages: Settling oneself over the beverage: One who settles himself down to drink wine, or other beverage of significance of which is it is common to settle oneself upon, is obligated to drink it in the Sukkah.[1] However the blessing of Leisheiv Basukkah is not […]

Where is the Sukkah to be built

Where is the Sukkah to be built A. May one build a Sukkah in someone else’s property without permission?[1] Initially, one may not build a Sukkah in someone else’s property without their permission.[2] [This applies even if the person will not be present there throughout Sukkas.[3] Thus, if a neighbor […]

Eating & Drinking

Eating and drinking in a Sukkah:[1] One is only required to eat a set meal inside a Sukkah. However it is permitted to eat a snack outside the Sukkah. The definition of a snack is a Kibeitza or less of bread or Mezonos[2] and any amount of any other food. […]

Using another persons Sukkah

Dwelling in another person’s Sukkah Must one dwell in the same Sukkah throughout Sukkos?[1] One is not required to dwell within the same Sukkah throughout the seven days of Sukkos and he can thus leave his Sukkah and dwell in another person’s Sukkah.   A borrowed Sukkah:[2] One fulfills his […]

Old Sukkah

A temporary dwelling for the purpose of shade: A. The Sukkah must be made only in order to give shade:1 Just as the clouds of glory were there to give us shade from the sun, similarly the Sukkah is only valid when made in order to only give shade. If […]

Mitzvah of dwelling

The definition of dwelling:[1] The Sages stated that the mitzvah of Sukkah is to make one’s Sukkah his permanent residence and his house temporary for the duration of the festival.[2] This means one must eat, drink, read, learn, socialize, and simply spend time of relaxation [i.e. “Yitayel”] within the Sukkah […]

Who is obligated

Who is obligated to live in a Sukkah? Women: Women are exempt from dwelling in the Sukkah as it is a time bound Mitzvah.[1] However if they desire to dwell in the Sukkah they may do so even with a blessing. However a man may not repeat the blessing of […]

Taking apart on Chol Hamoed

May one take apart his Sukkah during Chol Hamoed? This matter is disputed in Poskim. Some Poskim[1] rule it is forbidden to take apart a Sukkah during Chol Hamoed even if one desires to erect it in a different area as by doing so one is nullifying its holiness. Other […]

Checklist

  Checklist of Steps to building a Kosher Sukkah: Verify the area you desire to build the Sukkah does not contain any obstructions which will hover over the Sechach of the Sukkah. First build at least three complete walls that are ten Tefach high and within three Tefach from the […]

Days between Yom Kippur and Sukkos

Days between Yom Kippur and Sukkos: Tachanun: The days between Yom Kippur and Sukkos are days of joy, commemorating the sanctification of the tabernacle. Due to this Tachanun is not recited.[1] From after Yom Kippur until the beginning of the month of Cheshvan Tachanun is omitted.[2] G-d’s Name: The day […]

Building the Sukkah

Building the Sukkah: On Motzei Yom Kippur one begins building the Sukkah, [or at least talking about building it[1]], in order to leave one Mitzvah and enter to another Mitzvah.[2] To build the Sukkah the day after Yom Kippur:[3] It is a Mitzvah to build the entire Sukkah immediately the […]

Motzei Yom Kippur festivities

Motzei Yom Kippur festivities: Publicizing the greatness of the time:[1] Motzei Yom Kippur is a slight Yom Tov. Being that this Yom Tov is not very well known, it was therefore instituted to blow the Shofar one time at the conclusion of Yom Kippur, to remind the masses of the […]

Havdala of Motzei Yom Kippur

Havdala:[1] Besamim:[2] Havdala is said without Besamim. In the event that Yom Kippur falls on Shabbos the blessing over Besamim is recited in Havdala as usual. [See footnote for the custom of Sefaradim[3]] Havdala candle:[4] On Motzei Yom Kippur the blessing of mi’orei ha’esh may only be said over a […]

Maariv of Motzei Yom Kippur

Maariv: Wear Kittel and Tallis:[1] One Davens Maariv and recites Havdala while still wearing his Tallis and Kittel. The Tallis is removed from one’s head and is rather placed to rest on the shoulders. One wears a hat on his head in its place. Washing hands after Maariv:[2] Immediately after […]

Nocturnal emission on Yom Kippur

One who has a nocturnal emission:[1] Must worry the entire year: One who has a nocturnal emission on Yom Kippur should worry the entire year regarding whether his fast on Yom Kippur was accepted.[2] [This however only applies to Tzaddikim and men of stature, whom do not have erotic thoughts […]

Marital relations on Yom Kippur

Marital relations:[1] Marital relations are forbidden on Yom Kippur. Harchakos:  All the laws of Harchakos that apply when ones wife is in the state of Nida apply equally throughout the entire[2] duration of Yom Kippur even if ones wife is pure. This is a safeguard to avoid marital relations. Speaking […]

Upon going to sleep on Yom Kippur

Upon going to sleep: Requirement to sleep:[1] One is required to sleep at night of Yom Kippur in order so he can concentrate during prayers the next day and not fall asleep in middle. Sleeping in Shul:[2] Although it is forbidden to sleep in a Shul throughout the year, nevertheless […]

Learning Tractate Yuma on Yom Kippur

Learning Tractate Yuma:[1] It is a Mitzvah to learn Mishnayos Mesechet Yuma on Yom Kippur so its words stand in place of the sacrifices. One is likewise to study the sayings of the Sages found at the end of Tractate Yuma which discuss repentance. [However practically this custom has not […]

Saying Tehilim after Maariv

Saying Tehilim at the conclusion of the evening prayer:[1] At the conclusion of Maariv it is accustomed for the congregation to recite the entire book of Tehilim. [1] Otzer Minhagei Chabad p. 212 and so is the custom in the Beis Midrash of the Rebbe. Background: Saying Tehilim after Maariv […]

When Yom Kippur falls on Shabbos

The evening prayer when Yom Kippur falls on Shabbos: Kabalas Shabbos and Maariv:[1] When Yom Kippur coincides with Shabbos, one begins the Maariv prayer from Mizmor Ledavid [psalm 29], [omitting all the Psalms from Lechu Neranina until Mizmor Ledavid].[2]  [One recites the entire dialect from Mizmor Ledavid and onwards, including […]

Saying Boruch Shem aloud

Saying Boruch Shem… aloud:[1] Throughout Yom Kippur one says Boruch Sheim Kevod Malchuso… out loud in the Shema prayer.[2]   Q&A Are also women to say Baruch Sheim aloud? Some[3] write this custom is not relevant to women as they cannot emulate the angles.[4] [1] 619/9 [2] The reason: Originally […]

Standing throughout Yom Kippur

Standing throughout Yom Kippur:[1] Some are accustomed to stand throughout the entire duration of Yom Kippur, both by night and day, with exception to their sleeping hours.[2]  Women:[3] This custom is not applicable to women.[4] Lean if feels week:[5] One who follows this custom may nevertheless lean on a support […]

Shehechiyanu on Yom Kippur

Blessing Shehechiyanu:[1] One who has not said the blessing of Shehechiyanu by candle lighting is to say the blessing prior to the evening prayer.[2] Ideally, it is best for the congregation to listen to the chazzans blessing and fulfill the obligation through him, being that it is more beloved to […]

Kol Nidrei

Kol Nidrei-Conditioning ones future vows:[1] Is not an annulment but rather a stipulation:[2] Kol Nidrei is not the annulment of one’s previous vows, but rather is a stipulation on one’s future vows, that if one makes a vow in the future, it should be nullified. [In Hataras Nedarim that is […]

Neilah

Neilah:[1] A. When to begin and end Neilah:[2] One is to begin Davening Neilah close to the beginning of sunset and end Neilah close to Tzeis Hakochavim. Nevertheless, the custom [in many communities] is to end Neilah past nightfall, and those who follow this custom are not to be protested. […]

Removal of ban against sinners

Removal of ban against sinners:[1] Prior to Kol Nidrei[2] the leader of the congregation, together with two other people remove all excommunications and bans that were placed upon any of the worshipers in order for all Jews to be able to pray together with the congregation. This holds importance not […]

Mincha on Yom Kippur

Mincha:[1] Ashreiy and Uva Letziyon:[2] Ashreiy and Uva Letziyon are not recited prior to Mincha, and are rather recited prior to Neilah. Veani Sefilasi:[3] Veani Sefilasi is not recited even when Yom Kippur falls on Shabbos, being that its content is not relevant at this time.[4] Kerias Hatorah:[5] During Mincha, […]

Tehillim before Kol Nidrei

Saying Tehillim prior to Kol Nidrei:[1] Before the Chazzan begins Kol Nidrei, one recites nine chapters of Tehillim [chapter 115-123], following the tradition of the Baal Shem Tov, in name of his master and teacher, Achiya Hashiloni. ____________________________ [1] Sefer Haminhagim [English] p. 113; Hayom Yom 1st of Elul Background: […]