How to Buy a Lulav and Etrog

What to look for, how to care for them and — and what to do with them when Sukkot is over.

With regard to selecting the lulav and etrog , there is an operative principle involved called hiddur mitzvah. This is a bit difficult to explain. Essentially it entails going beyond the specification for the “legal” minimum-to select the most beautiful, elegant, and as nearly perfect fruits as possible.

Lulavs and etrogs are sold in most Judaica stores in the weeks before Sukkot.  https://maayanjudaica.com/

Thus, although there are relatively few categories of absolutely unacceptable species, there are many criteria–we’ll discuss these soon–relating to the level of beauty of the species. Much of the fun of buying sets is in making your own evaluations and selecting the best among large varieties. After knowing what the criteria are, choose what you like. You are the one who is going to have to live with your lulav and etrog for seven days.

The Etrog

You must pay the greatest attention to the selection of the etrog. Compared to selecting an etrog, choosing a lulav is like an afterthought. Begin the buying process with the selection of the etrog, then the lulav, then the myrtle, then the willows. It is with the etrog that the greatest variation exists and the greatest obligation for hiddur mitzvah–beauty– applies (based on the etrog being “the product of the hadar [beautiful] trees”).

The Lulav

The lulav is from a palm tree and is held together with a willow branch and a myrtle branch.

It should be fresh — i.e., not dried up. It should be at least four tefahim (approximately 14″) long so that it will shake well. Its backbone — a solid ridge from which the leaves spread–ideally should extend from the bottom all the way to the top.

So that the leaves of the palm do not spread out obtrusively, the lulav should be bound at three points along its length. The bands are made from its leaves. If they are not already on the lulav, you can ask the seller to bind them for you, or you can improvise a bind yourself. (The three bands represent Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; creation, revelation, redemption…) Aside from this, it should have a good feel in your hand and possess whatever other qualities you feel a lulav should possess–e.g., good spring, length, tight leaves, loose leaves, a thick backbone, a thin backbone.

When you buy it ask for a plastic bag to keep it in. This will be used to preserve its freshness and protect it throughout the holiday.

The Myrtle

They should be at least three tefahim (approximately 10″) long. There must be three branches.

The leaves of the myrtle, ideally, should grow in clusters of three at every  spot on the stem. Often, however, the three leaves do not emanate from the exact same spot on the stem. You should select myrtle branches which have at least three clusters of three emanating from single spots-preferably near the top.

The Willow

They should be at least three tefahim (approximately 10″) long. There must be two branches.

The leaves of the willow, ideally, should grow in clusters of two at every spot on the stem. Often, however, the two leaves do not emanate from the exact same spot on the stem. You should select willow branches which have at least two clusters of two emanating from single spots-preferably near the top.

How To Care For 4 The Species

Until you have to assemble them, store the parts separately. The etrog will come wrapped in a padding material and enclosed in a box. Make sure to keep it wrapped in this, with the pitom well protected. If you have a separate etrog box, store it there. Otherwise, keep it in its box and in a safe place. It is advisable, although not necessary, to keep it in the refrigerator. The etrog has an amazing quality: It will not rot. It will dry up, but not spoil. The myrtle and willow will spoil and should be kept in the refrigerator wrapped in a wet towel. These will dry up and the leaves will fall off. So handle them with care. Avoid overhandling them. Once they are squeezed into the little holder gadget that comes with the lulav, it is best not to remove them, as this will generally rip the lower leaves off.

Rather than do this, either:

1. Take off the entire holder, wrap the leaves in a wet towel, and store in the refrigerator; or
2. Slip the whole lulav with the holder and branches into the plastic bag, put a little bit of water in the bottom of the bag, seal (tie) the top. It can be left out as is or stored in the refrigerator.

The lulav will generally stay fresh for at least the seven days without special care required of it.

What To Do With Them Afterward

What to Do with the Lulav, Myrtle and Willow

Virtually nothing can be done with the myrtle and willow. Until it dries up the myrtle can be used for besamim, spices, for Havdalah. The lulav can be:

1. Used for decoration. It has a certain slim elegance and graceful dignity to it.
2. Saved and waved on Hanukkah (see 2 Maccabees 10:5-8).
3. Saved and used in place of a feather for searching out the hametz [leavened items] before Passover. Then burn it with the hametz.