Understanding the Mitzvah

The Four Species

On Sukkot, the Torah commands us to take four special plants and rejoice before Hashem. This mitzvah — known as Arba Minim — is one of the most beloved and visually beautiful in the Jewish calendar.

A Mitzvah of Beauty & Unity

The mitzvah of the Four Species (Arba Minim) is performed each day of Sukkot (except Shabbat) by taking a lulav, three hadassim, two aravot, and an esrog — waving them together in six directions as an expression of Hashem's presence everywhere.

The Torah states: "You shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of a beautiful tree, branches of palm trees, boughs of thick-leaved trees, and willows of the brook" (Vayikra 23:40). The Sages identify these as the esrog, lulav, hadassim, and aravot.

Beyond the technical requirements, the Torah emphasizes beauty — "pri etz hadar," the fruit of a beautiful tree. This is the concept of Hiddur Mitzvah: beautifying the commandment by choosing the finest, most beautiful esrog one can afford.

"Pri etz hadar" — the fruit of a beautiful tree. Beauty is not optional; it is part of the mitzvah itself.

— Vayikra 23:40, with commentary of the Rishonim

The Arba Minim

The Four Species, Explained

Each of the four species has specific halachic requirements. Understanding what makes each one kosher — and beautiful — helps you choose with confidence.

Esrog

אֶתְרוֹג

Citrus medica

The esrog is the centerpiece of the mitzvah. It must be a pure, ungrafted citron with an intact pitom (tip), clean skin free of blemishes, and a beautiful yellow color. The esrog is held in the left hand while the lulav bundle is held in the right.

Key Requirements

Must be a pure, non-grafted citron (not a hybrid)

Pitom (the tip) should ideally be intact

Skin should be clean, without significant blemishes or discoloration

Should be fully yellow — green esrogim are valid but less preferred

Must have grown as a complete fruit (not missing sections)

Lulav

לוּלָב

Phoenix dactylifera

The lulav is a fresh, closed palm frond. It forms the spine of the bundle and is held in the right hand together with the hadassim and aravot. A beautiful lulav is tall, straight, and tightly closed at the tip.

Key Requirements

Must be a fresh, green palm frond — not dried out

The central spine (tiyomet) should be intact and not split

Should be straight and upright, not bent

Tip should be closed and not spread open

Minimum length of four tefachim (approximately 16 inches)

Hadassim

הֲדַסִּים

Myrtus communis

Three myrtle branches are bound to the lulav. The ideal hadas has leaves growing in sets of three around the stem (meshulash), covering the wood completely. Their sweet fragrance adds to the beauty of the mitzvah.

Key Requirements

Three branches required

Leaves should ideally grow in sets of three (meshulash)

Leaves must cover the stem — bare wood is a disqualification

Must be fresh and green, not dried

Minimum length of three tefachim (approximately 12 inches)

Aravot

עֲרָבוֹת

Salix

Two willow branches complete the bundle. The aravah has smooth-edged, elongated leaves and a reddish stem. Though the aravot have no taste or fragrance, they represent those among the Jewish people who may lack Torah knowledge but are still part of the whole.

Key Requirements

Two branches required

Leaves must be smooth-edged (not serrated like a tzaftzafah)

Must be fresh — dried or yellowed leaves disqualify

Stem should be reddish

Minimum length of three tefachim (approximately 12 inches)

Going Beyond the Minimum

What is Hiddur Mitzvah?

The Talmud derives from the verse "This is my God and I will glorify Him" (Shemot 15:2) that one should beautify the mitzvot — purchasing a more beautiful esrog, a more elegant lulav, finer hadassim. This principle is called Hiddur Mitzvah.

The Shulchan Aruch rules that one should spend up to one-third more than the standard price to obtain a more beautiful esrog. Many authorities encourage spending even more when one can afford it.

At MB Esrogim, every set we carry reflects this value. We don't offer the bare minimum — we source esrogim that are genuinely beautiful, so that your mitzvah is performed with the dignity it deserves.

See our hand-selected esrogim

A Teaching on Unity

The Four Species & Jewish Unity

The Midrash teaches that the four species correspond to four types of Jews: the esrog has both taste and fragrance (Torah and good deeds); the lulav has taste but no fragrance (Torah without good deeds); the hadas has fragrance but no taste (good deeds without Torah); the aravah has neither (neither Torah nor good deeds). Yet we bind them all together — because every Jew is essential, and together we are complete.

"Bind them together and they atone for one another." — Vayikra Rabbah 30:12

Fulfill the Mitzvah with Beauty

Now that you know what to look for, let us help you find the perfect set. Our esrogim are hand-selected for Hiddur Mitzvah — beautiful, kosher, and meaningful.

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