From the Rav’s Desk: 1. Split Lulav 2. Bruise on Esrog 3. Lavud by beams of Sukkah 4. Hoshanos for Yachid

1. Question: [Thursday, 13^th Tishreiy 5780]

I ordered a Lulav and its leaves were split, including the middle leaf. Is it valid?

Answer:

If the middle leaf is split then the Lulav is Pasul. However, this only applies on the first day [two days in Dispora] of Sukkos, and therefore this year in Eretz Yisrael that the first day of Sukkos falls on Shabbos, it remains valid. Furthermore, it is only invalid if it is completely split, from the top until the spine. Furthermore, it is only invalid if the actual middle leaf split in two, however if simply the pairs of leaves are split from each other, as is apparent from the picture of your Lulav, then it is valid. Thus, your Lulav remains valid on all grounds.

Sources: See Admur 645:11; https://shulchanaruchharav.com/halacha/a-split-tiyomes-the-law-if-the-top-middle-leaf-of-a-lulav-is-split/

2. Question: [Thursday, 13^th Tishreiy 5780]

I ordered a very expensive Esrog from Kalabria and after unwrapping it from the paper towel I noticed a brownish stain on the skin. I did not see it originally when I purchased it, and it seems to have occurred from the dampness of the paper towel. Is it still Kosher?

Answer:

Yes.

The reason: A color change only invalidates an Esrog if it is natural to the Esrog and grew with it. If the color change is caused by external factors, such as the puncturing of a thorn, and is a common color change of the Esrog, then it remains valid, assuming that it is not missing a piece. The two bruises that I can see [with brownish coloring] are consistent with puncture marks. Is that what you are referring to? Would be strange for a mere paper towel wrapping to cause that.

Sources: Admur 648:23; M”A 648:19; Mabit 3:49

3. Question: [Thursday, 13^th Tishreiy 5780]

What is the best time this year that Sukkos falls on Shabbos to bind the Lulav together tomorrow before Yom tov, even though it is shabbat, or keep them in the fridge and bind them Motsaei shabbat or Sunday morning?

Answer:

According to Chabad custom, it is to be done specifically on Erev Yom Tov. This applies even in Eretz Yisrael. Others in Eretz Yisrael however do so on Motzei Shabbos.

The reason: It is forbidden to make a knot on Shabbos or Yom Tov, and therefore those who make knots to bind their Lulav, as is the Chabad custom, must do so before Yom Tov. In the Diaspora, this applies even in years that Yom Tov falls on Shabbos. In Eretz Yisrael, while technically one can suffice with making the knots on Motzei Shabbos for the first day of shaking on Chol Hamoed, nevertheless, based on other spiritual reasons, it should be done specifically on Erev Sukkos, as records the Rebbe in a Mamar said in 1981 that binding the Lulav in the Sukkah on Erev Sukkos helps to emphasize the living status of the Sukkah.

Sources: See Mateh Efraim 625:18; Sefer Haminhagim Chabad; Mamar Parshas Naso 1981; Piskeiy Teshuvos 651:1

4. Question: [Friday, 14^th Tishreiy 5780]

I made a roof for my patio with wooden beams being used as frames and a plastic tarp covering it. I have since removed the tarp and would like to place Sechach over the frame to use as my Sukkah. The beams themselves are slightly more than 1 Tefach wide, and the space between them is 1.5 Tefach wide, so there is definitely more shade due to Sechach than the invalid beams. My question however is as follows: The Al;ter Rebbe in his Shulchan Aruch invalidates roof beams that are within 3 Tefachim of each other due to Lavud unless you place the Sechach between them. My question is regarding if my Sukkah would still be Kosher even though the Sechach is placed on top of these beams and not in between them?

Answer:

Yes. Even if the Sechach is on top of the beams it prevents the invalidation of Lavud from taking place.

Sources: Implication of M”A 626:6 and Admur 626:14 that even when Sechach is on top it is Mafsik Lavud, and in between is Lav Davka [unlike implication of Bikureiy Yaakov 626:6 and Machatzis Hashekel ibid]; M”B 626:17; Emek Teshuvah 1:96; Piskeiy Teshuvos 626:9; https://shulchanaruchharav.com/halacha/the-law-by-a-pergola-are-its-beams-valid-sechach-and-must-one-do-anything-to-it-if-he-desires-to-use-it-as-a-sukkah/

5. Question: [Friday, 14^th Tishreiy 5780]

How should Hoshanos be done if I am Davening alone Beyechidus?

Answer:

One is exempt bfrom Hakafos in such a case. Nevertheless, you should place a Tanach on a chair/table and encircle it.

Sources: See Bikureiy Yaakov 660:2 [negates if no Sefer Torah]; Ben Ish Chaiy Haazinu 1:15 who writes above Eitza; Ashel Avraham Butchach 651; Piskeiy Teshuvos 660:2