Dryness

Dry Leaves:[1] If majority of the leaves have dried it is invalid.[2] The definition: The definition of dry is if the leaves have dried to the extent they lost their coloring and have turned white.[3] If they have not yet turned white they are valid even if they are dried […]

Purchasing a Shemitah Esrog

  May one sell or purchase a Shemita Esrog? In the Sukkos of the eighth year the Esrog of Jewish owned fields in Eretz Yisrael is treated as Kedushas Sheviis and hence may only be purchased through Otzer Beis Din, or Havlah as explained next. Otzer Beis Din: A Halachilcly […]

Missing leaves

Leaves fell off:[1] If majority of the Arava leaves fell off the Arava, it is Pasul.[2] One must be very careful regarding this matter, especially when inserting it into the binding of the Lulav, that this not cause the leaves to come off. [Thus it is advisable to check the […]

Tithes-Maaser

  Tithes-Using an Esrog from Eretz Yisrael:[1] An esrog which is forbidden to be eaten is not kosher. Therefore one must be certain that an esrog from Israel has had all its tithes removed and is not orlah (fruits grown within first three years of the tree). Esrogim from outside […]

Length

  Length:[1] The length of the Aravos must be at least three Tefachim. 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 […]

Calabria

Calabria: There is a tradition handed from the Alter Rebbe to use specifically the Yanovar esrog for the Daled Minim for reasons known to him. It is called Yanover in reference to the region of growth in Italy.[1]  A possible reason for this tradition may be since Italy is referred […]

Identity

The identity of the Aravos:[1] The Torah states that one is to take a Arvei Nachal. This refers to the willow branch.   Its Signs:[2] The following are the signs of a Kosher Arava. A red stem:[3] This means that the Arava comes from a tree that grows red stems. […]

Murkav-Grafted

Murkav/Grafted:[1]  A grafted Esrog, or a later generation of a grafted Esrog, is Pasul. There are four general signs in a kosher esrog which are different in an esrog grafted with lemon. A grafted esrog is smooth like a lemon while a kosher one is bumpy. A grafted esrog has […]

The Oketz-Stem

Oketz/Stem:[1] What is the Oketz: The Oketz is the stem from which the Esrog grows from on the tree. If the Oketz was removed from the Esrog in a way that none of it remained on the Esrog, hence creating a grooved area, the Esrog is invalid.[2] [Furthermore even if […]

The Pitam

  Pitam:[1] What is a Pitam: Many Esrogim grow a wood stem protruding on their top called the pitam or the dad. In many the Pitam begins to grow from within the inside of the esrog. In others it grows from its very top on its outside. On the dad/pitam […]

Ripe/Size/Color

Ripe/Size/color:  Size: An esrog’s minimum size is a kebeytza, which is approximately 56 grams. (ibid/29) Green:[1] An Esrog which has not yet ripened to the point that part of it has begun to turn yellow is Pasul unless one is sure that the Esrog will reach this stage. The custom […]

Color changes & Blisters

Blisters and color change:[1] A Chazazis and a color change in the Esrog receive the following laws:[2]   What is defined as a color change: Admur brings different types of color changes: A change of color that occurred after part of the rind of the Esrog peeled off.[3] A natural […]

Cracks

A cracked Esrog:[1] Crack on the length:[2] A cracked Esrog is only invalid if all the following apply: The crack reaches from to top to bottom The depth of the crack is at least majority of the thick white flesh. If the crack is not this deep throughout the entire […]

Dryness

  Dryness:[1] If the leaves of a Hadas have dried, the Hadas is invalid.[2] If however it is not Halachicly considered dry, even though the leaves have withered, it still remains valid. What is the definition of dry?[3] If the leaves have dried to the point that they can be […]

Scabs-Scars

Scars:[1] A hole which was caused by a thorn while the Esrog was still on the tree is kosher even if a piece is missing, if the entire area of the hole is covered by scar tissue.[2] This applies even if there is still a piece visibly missing from the […]

Top cut off

Top cut off:[1] If the top of the Hadas [its branch and its leaves] has been cut off, some opinions rule the Hadas nevertheless remains valid.[2] Others rule it is invalid.[3] Practically one should be stringent to use another Hadas, if it is available. If another Hadas is not available […]

Missing piece

  An Esrog with a hole that has a missing piece:[1]  A. First Day of Sukkos: A very small amount is missing: An Esrog which is missing any part from its body[2], even the smallest amount, is Pasul.[3] This applies even if the hole does not reach from one to […]

Missing leaves

Leaves missing:[1] If leaves fell off a Kosher Hadas, then as long as two leaves remain in majority of its sets within the Shiur of three Tefachim, it is Kosher. This applies even if the leaves of some of the sets have completely fallen off, [and even if the top […]

Hole-no missing piece

An Esrog with a hole without a missing piece:[1] Size of the hole: If there is a hole in the Esrog without any piece of the Esrog missing, such as a hole that was created by sticking a large needle into the Esrog, then if the hole of the Esrog […]

Meshulash-Three Leaved

Meshulash/Three Leaved:[1] The Torah states that the Hadas must be braided. This means that there are three leaves that extend from each area of the branch and that these three leaves are symmetric to each other that they extend from the same horizontal line. If two leaves are symmetric but […]

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 […]