118

To take up a Lulav and Etrog all seven days of Sukkot

The Luchos - Ten Commandments
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Holidays – חֲגִים

Take the Four Species during the seven days of Sukkot.

This mitzvah commands us to take the Four Species — the lulav (palm branch), etrog (citron), hadasim (myrtle branches), and aravot (willow branches) — during Sukkot. Waving them together symbolizes unity among the Jewish people, as each species represents a different type of Jew, yet all are bound together in serving Hashem. The mitzvah also expresses joy and gratitude for the harvest and divine blessings. Through this practice, we rejoice before Hashem and strengthen our awareness of His presence in our lives.

Commentary & Classical Explanation:

  • Rambam (Hilchot Lulav 7:1–6) explains that taking the Four Species is a mitzvah of joy before Hashem.
  • Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 30:12): Each species symbolizes different types of Jews (taste/fragrance analogy). Binding them together = unity of the nation.
  • Sifrei & Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 324): The mitzvah expresses gratitude for the harvest season and dependence on Hashem’s blessing.
(Source: Chabad.org)
וּלְקַחְתֶּ֨ם לָכֶ֜ם בַּיּ֣וֹם הָרִאשׁ֗וֹן פְּרִ֨י עֵ֤ץ הָדָר֙ כַּפֹּ֣ת תְּמָרִ֔ים וַעֲנַ֥ף עֵץ־עָבֹ֖ת וְעַרְבֵי־נָ֑חַל וּשְׂמַחְתֶּ֗ם לִפְנֵ֛י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖ם שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִֽים׃ - פָּרָשַׁת אֱמוֹר
Leviticus 23:40 - "And you shall take for yourselves on the first day, the fruit of the hadar tree, date palm fronds, a branch of a braided tree, and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for a seven day period."

This Mitzvah's Fundamentals

Holidays - חַגִּים

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Mitzvot related to the Jewish festivals — their observance, rituals, prohibitions, and spiritual significance. This includes Torah-commanded holidays like Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot, as well as rabbinic celebrations such as Purim and Chanukah.

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Holiness - קְדֻשָּׁה

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Represents the concept of  spiritual intentionality, purity, and sanctity—set apart for a higher purpose.

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