## Kitzur Shulchan Arukh Siman 136

###### Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 136:1
[Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 136:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Kitzur%20Shulchan%20Arukh/r/136:1)

כְּבָר נָהֲגו יִשְֹרָאֵל, שֶׁמִּי שֶׁהוּא קוֹנֶה אֶתְרוֹג וְלוּלָב וְהוּא אֵינוֹ מֵבִין, מַרְאֶה אוֹתָן לְמוֹרֶה הוֹרָאָה אִם הֵם כְּשֵׁרִים אוֹ לֹא, כִּי יֵשׁ הַרְבֵּה חִלּוּקֵי דִינִים. וְיֵשׁ לְהַדֵר לִקְנוֹת לוּלָב חָדָשׁ, כִּי לוּלָב הַיָבֵשׁ אֵינוֹ כָּשֵׁר אֶלָּא בִּשְׁעַת הַדְּחָק. וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים, דְּכֹל שֶכָּלְתָה הַיַרְקוּת שֶבּוֹ, הֲוֵי יָבֵשׁ. שִׁעוּר הַלּוּלָב, שֶׁתִּהְיֶה הַשִׁדְרָה חוּץ מִן הֶעָלִין הָעֶלְיוֹנִים, אַרְבָּעָה טְפָחִים. וּבִשְׁעַת הַדְּחָק, שְׁלשָׁה עָשָֹר אֲגוּדָלִין וּשְׁלִישׁ גוּדָל סַגֵי.

**Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996:**
It is a time-honored custom in Yisrael that when you buy an *esrog* and a *lulav*, and you are not an expert in these *Halachos*, you should show it to an halachic authority to determine if they are valid, because there are many different *Halachos* regarding them. You should do your best to buy a fresh *lulav*, because a dry *lulav* may be used only in extreme circumstances.¹ [649:58] for definition of what constitutes “extreme circumstances.” Some authorities say,² 645:25) that [a *lulav*] that is no longer green is considered dry. The required length of a *lulav* is that it's main stem besides the upper leaves should measure four *tefachim*.³ In extreme circumstances, a length of 13⅓ *egudlin*³ is sufficient.

footnotes:
¹ See Mishnah Berurah
² Most authorities are of this opinion and therefore you must not be lenient in this matter. (See Mishnah Berurah
³ See glossary.
³ See glossary.


###### Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 136:2
[Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 136:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Kitzur%20Shulchan%20Arukh/r/136:2)

הַהֲדַס צָרִיךְ לִהְיוֹת מְשֻׁלָשׁ, דְּהַיְנוּ שֶׁיוֹצְאִין בּוֹ מִכָּל קֵן וָקֵן שְׁלֹשָה עָלִין בְּשׁוּרָה אַחַת בְּשָׁוֶה, שֶׁלֹּא יִהְיֶה אֶחָד גָּבוֹהַּ אוֹ נָמוּךְ מֵחֲבֵרָיו. וּצְרִיכִין שֶׁיִהְיוּ הֶעָלִין חוֹפִין אֶת עֵצוֹ, דְּהַיְנוּ שֶׁרֹאשׁ כָּל עָלֶה, יַגִּיעַ לְמַעְלָה מֵעֻקְצָהּ שֶל הֶעָלֶה שֶׁלְּמָעְלָה. וּבְתוֹךְ אֵלּוּ הַהֲדַסִּים הַמּוּבָאִים מִמֶּרְחָק, בְּדֹחַק שֶׁיִּמָּצְאוּ כְּשֵׁרִים, וּצְרִיכִין לְבָדְקָם. וְהַיָרֵא דְבַר ה', יְהַדֵּר לִקְנוֹת הֲדַסִּים לַחִים יְרֻקִּים מְשֻׁלָּשִׁים וּמְהֻדָּרִים. וְהַגְּדֵלִים בִּמְדִינָתֵנוּ, צְרִיכִין לְדַקְדֵּק בָּם אִם אֵינָם מֻרְכָּבִים, וְאִם לִא גָדְלוּ בְּעָצִיץ שֶׁאֵינוֹ נָקוּב. וְכֵן צְרִיכִין לְדַקְדֵּק בָּזֶה בַּלּוּלָבִין הַגְּדֵלִים בִּמְדִינָתֵנוּ. אִם אֵין בְּנִמְצָא הֲדַסִּים מְשֻׁלָּשִים, יִטֹּל שֶׁאֵינָם מְשֻׁלָּשִׁים, וְלֹא יְבָרֵךְ.

**Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996:**
The *hadas* (myrtle twig) must have leaves growing in groups of three, that is, each set of leaf buds should produce three leaves on the same horizontal level, none should be higher or lower than the others. Also it is essential that the leaves cover the twig, that is, that the tip of each leaf should overlap the stem of the leaf above it. Among the *hadassim* that are imported from distant places you rarely find valid ones, and you must, therefore, examine them. A God-fearing person should do his best to buy *hadassim* that are fresh, green and have leaves "in a threesome," and are beautiful. You must make sure that those grown locally have not been grafted, and have not been grown in a pot that has no hole [in the bottom]. Similarly, we must be concerned regarding the *lulavim* that grow in our region. If *hadassim* with "threesome" leaves are unavailable you may take those without "threesome" leaves, but you should not say the berachah.


###### Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 136:3
[Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 136:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Kitzur%20Shulchan%20Arukh/r/136:3)

שִׁעוּר הַהֲדַס, שְׁלֹשָׁה טְפָחִים. וּבִשְׁעַת הַדְּחָק, סַגֵּי בַּעֲשָׂרָה גוּדָלִין. וְיִהְיֶה כָּל הַהֲדַס מִלְּמַטָּה עַד לְמַעְלָה, מְשֻׁלָּשׁ. וּבִשְׁעַת הַדְּחָק, אִם לְמַטָּה הַמֻּעָט אֵינוֹ מְשֻׁלָּשׁ, וְהָרֹב שֶׁלְּמַעְלָה מְשֻׁלָּשׁ, גַּם כֵּן כָּשֵׁר. צְרִיכִין לְדַקְדֵּק, שֶׁלֹּא יִשְּׁרוּ הֶעָלִין מִן הַהֲדַס, כִּי אִם נָשְׁרוּ אֲפִלּוּ מִקְצָת עָלִין, יֵשׁ כַּמָּה חִלּוּקֵי דִינִים, וּצְרִיכִין לַעֲשׂוֹת שְׁאֵלַת חָכָם.

**Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996:**
The required length of a *hadas* is three *tefachim*. In extreme circumstances ten *egudlin* is sufficient. The entire *hadas*, from bottom to top, should have leaves growing in "threesomes." In extreme circumstances, however, if at the bottom there are a few leaves not in "threesomes," but on top the majority are "threesomes," it is also valid. You should be careful that the leaves of the *hadas* should not fall off; for even if some of the leaves fall off, there are many differing *Halachos*, and you must consult an *halachic* authority.


###### Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 136:4
[Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 136:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Kitzur%20Shulchan%20Arukh/r/136:4)

צְרִיכִין לְהַשְׁגִיחַ, שֶׁלֹּא יְהֵא נִקְטָם רֹאשׁוֹ, דְּהַיְנוּ רֹאשׁ הָעֵץ. וְאִם אֵין לוֹ רַק קְטוּמִים, יַעֲשֶׂה שְׁאֵלַת חָכָם. אֲבָל הָעֲנָפִים הַקְּטַנִים שֶׁיוֹצְאִין בֵּין הַקִּנִּים, צְרִיכִים לִקְטוֹם אוֹתָם, שֶׁלֹּא יַפְסִיקוּ בֵּין הַקִּנִּים

**Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996:**
You should make sure that the top [of the *hadas*] is not broken off, that is, the top of the wooden stem. If you have only *hadassim* with broken-off tops, you should consult an *halachic* authority. But the small side-branches that grow between the leaf-buds must be broken off so that they should not form a separation between the leaf-buds.


###### Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 136:5
[Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 136:5](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Kitzur%20Shulchan%20Arukh/r/136:5)

הָעֲרָבָה, יְדוּעָה. הֶעָלֶה מָשׁוּךְ, וּפִיו חָלָק, וְהַקָּנֶה אָדֹם. וַאֲפִלּוּ בְּעוֹדוֹ יָרוֹק, כָּשֵׁר, כֵּיוָן שֶׁכְּשֶׁהוּא שׁוֹהֶה בָּאִילָן, מִתְאַדֵּם. וְרֹב מִין זֶה גָּדֵל אֵצֶל הַנְּחָלִים, וְעַל כֵּן נִקְרָא עַרְבֵי נָחַל. וַאֲפִלּוּ הַגְּדֵלִים בְּמָקוֹם אַחֵר, כְּשֵׁרִים, אֶלָּא שֶׁאִם אֶפְשָׁר, יֵשׁ לְהַדֵּר לִקַּח מֵאוֹתָן הַגְּדֵלִים אֵצֶל נָחַל. שִׁעוּר הָעֲרָבָה, כְּשִׁעוּר הַהֲדָס.

**Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996:**
The *aravah* (willow) is well-known, it has lengthy leaves that have smooth edges, and it has a red stem. Even when the stem is still green, the *aravah* is valid, because if it stays on the tree it turns red. Most of this species grow near a brook, therefore, they are called *arvei nachal* [willows of the brook] (Leviticus 23:40). But even if they grow elsewhere they are valid, but if it is possible, you should try to get those that grow near a brook. The required size of the *aravah* is the same as that of the *hadas*.


###### Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 136:6
[Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 136:6](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Kitzur%20Shulchan%20Arukh/r/136:6)

עֲרָבָה שֶׁיָבְשָׁה, אוֹ שֶׁנָּשְׁרוּ רֹב הֶעָלִין שֶׁלָּהּ, אוֹ שֶׁנִּקְטַם רֹאשׁ הָעֵץ שֶׁלָּה, פְּסוּלָה. וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים, דְּגַם אִם נִדַּלְדְּלוּ הֶעָלִין מִן הַקָּנֶה וּתְלוּיִים לְמַטָּה, פְּסוּלָה. וּצְרִיכִין לְהַשְׁגִּיחַ מְאֹד גַּם בָּעֲרָבָה, כִּי לִפְעָמִים מֵחֲמַת שֶׁתּוֹחֲבִין אוֹתָהּ אֶל הַלּוּלָב אוֹ עַל יְדֵי הַנִּעְנוּעִין, נוֹשְׁרִין הֶעָלִין, וְאָז פְּסוּלָה.

**Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996:**
An *aravah* that is dried up, or if most of its leaves have fallen off, or if its stem is broken off, is invalid. Some authorities say, that if the leaves are partially torn from the stem and are hanging limp it is also invalid. You should be extremely careful also with regard to the *aravah*, because sometimes when you insert it in its place among the *lulav* [and the *hadas*], or because of the waving, the leaves fall off and then it becomes invalid.


###### Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 136:7
[Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 136:7](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Kitzur%20Shulchan%20Arukh/r/136:7)

צָרִיךְ לִזָּהֵר שֶלֹּא יִקְצֹץ הַיִשְֹרָאֵל בְּעַצְמוֹ מִן הָאִילָן אֶחָד מֵאַרְבַּעַת הַמִּנִים לְצָרְכּוֹ, אֲפִלּוּ נָתַן לוֹ בַּעַל הַקַרְקַע רְשׁוּת, אֶלָּא גּוֹי אוֹ יִשְֹרָאֵל אַחֵר יִקְצְצֵם וְיִקַּח מִמֶּנוּ.

**Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996:**
Care should be taken that a Jew should not personally cut off any of the four species from a tree for his own use, even if the owner of the land gives him permission;⁴ questions if this ruling applies to our times. (See *Biur Halachah* 649:1 and *Mishnah Berurah* 649:10) but a non-Jew or another Jew should cut them off and then he should buy it from him.

footnotes:
⁴ This halachah is based on the concern that the non-Jew possessed the land illegally by stealing it from its Jewish owner. Therefore if you personally take these species from the land, you may be actually acquiring them illegally. It is best therefore that you acquire them from a non-Jew who took them from the land and possessed them, for once he becomes the owner, you may legally purchase them from him. Mishnah Berurah


###### Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 136:8
[Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 136:8](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Kitzur%20Shulchan%20Arukh/r/136:8)

לוֹקְחִין שְׁלשָׁה בַּדֵּי הֲדַס וּשְׁנֵי בַדֵּי עֲרָבָה, (וְאֵין לְהוֹסִיף), וְאוֹגְדִין אוֹתָם עִם הַלּוּלָב, שֶׁיִהְיוּ כֻלָּן אֲגֻדָּה אֶחָת. וּצְרִיכִין לְהַשְׁגִּיחַ שֶׁיִהְיוּ כֻלָּם כְּדֶרֶךְ גְּדִילָתָן, דְהַיְנוּ מְקוֹם הַחֲתָךְ לְמַטָּה, שֶׁאִם נִתְהַפֵּךְ אֲפִלּוּ רַק בַּד אֶחָד, גַּם בְּדִיעֲבַד אֵינוֹ יוֹצֵא. וְיֵשׁ לֶאֱגוֹד אֶת הַהֲדַס מִימִין הַשִּׁדְרָה אֶל הַלּוּלָב, וְאֶת הָעֲרָבָה מִשְׂמֹאלוֹ, דְּהַיְנוּ שֶׁכְּשֶׁיִטֹּל אֶת הַלּוּלָב וְהַשִּׁדְרָה נֶגֶד פָּנָיו, יִהְיֶה הַהֲדַס נֶגֶד יְמִינוֹ, וְהָעֲרָבָה נֶגֶד שְׂמֹאלוֹ. וְיִהְיוּ לְמַטָּה כֻּלָּם שָׁוִים, כְּדֵי שֶׁכְּשֶׁיִטּוֹל אֶת הַלוּלָב, יֹאחַז כֻּלָם. וּמִכָּל מָקוֹם יֵשׁ לִרְאוֹת שֶׁיִהְיֶה הַהֲדַס מְעַט גָּבוֹהַּ מִן הָעֲרָבָה. וְצָרִיךְ לְהַשְׁגִיחַ שֶׁתֵּצֵא הַשִּׁדְרָה מִן הַלּוּלָב לְמַעְלָה מִן הַהֲדַס לְכָל הַפָּחוֹת טֶפַח. קוֹשֵׁר כֻּלָּם בְּיַחַד בְּקֶשֶׁר גָמוּר, דְּהַיְנוּ שְׁנֵי קְשָׁרִים זֶה עַל גַב זֶה. וּמִלְּבַד מַה שֶׁקָשַׁר אֵלּוּ הַמִּנִים בְּיַחַד, יַעֲשֶׂה עוֹד בַּלּוּלָב שְׁלֹּשָׁה קְשָׁרִים, וְרַק טֶפַח אֶחָד מִן הַלּוּלָב לְמַעְלָה יִהְיֶה בְּלִי קֶשֶׁר, כְּדֵי לְכַסְכֵּס בּוֹ בִּשְׁעַת הַנִּעְנוּעִים. אִם יֵשׁ חוּט כָּרוּךְ עַל הַהֲדַס, צָרִיךְ לַהֲסִירוֹ קֹדֶם הָאִגּוּד, שֶׁלֹּא תְהֵא חֲצִיצָה. אִם הֻתְּרָה הָאֲגֻדָּה בְּיוֹם טוֹב, אָסוּר לְאָגְדָהּ בְּיוֹם טוֹב בְּקֶשֶׁר, אֶלָּא בַּעֲנִיבָה, אוֹ כְּמוֹ שֶׁנּוֹהֲגִין שֶכּוֹרְכִין סְבִיבוֹתָם וְתוֹחֲבִין רֹאשׁ הַכְּרִיכָה לְתוֹךְ הָעִגּוּל הַכָּרוּךְ.

**Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996:**
You should take three *hadas* branches and two *aravah* branches, (no more than that), and bind them together with the *lulav*, so that they become one bundle. You should make sure that they are all [bound together] in the direction they grow, that is, with the cut edges downward. For, if only one branch is upside down, it is invalid, even ex post facto, [after it is already done]. You should bind the *hadas* on the right of the stem of the *lulav* and the *aravah* on its left side,⁵ (651:11) who mentions that there are those who follow the custom of *Ari Zal* which is different than the custom stated here. that is, when you take the *lulav*, with its stem facing you, the *hadas* should be opposite your right and the *aravah* opposite your left.⁶ 651:12) On the bottom they should all be even, so that when you take the *lulav* you should hold all the species [in your hand]. Nevertheless, you should see to it that the *hadas* should be slightly higher than the *aravah*. And you should make sure that the stem of the *lulav* protrudes at least a *tefach* above the *hadas*. You should tie all of them together with a complete knot, that is, two knots one on top of the other. Besides binding these [three] species together you should also fasten three more bands on the *lulav*.⁷ the band that is tied around the species at the bottom of the *lulav* is counted as one of the three bands. *Eliyohu Rabbah* rules, however, that there must be three bands in addition to the one holding the species together. (See *Mishnah Berurah* 651:14) However, at least only one *tefach* at the top of the *lulav*⁸. A *tefach* of the stem should remain without a band. should remain without a band, in order to make a rustling sound when you shake it. If there is a string tied around the *hadassim*, you must remove it before binding it with the *lulav*, so that nothing intervenes between [the *hadassim* and the *lulav*]. If the *lulav*-bundle becomes undone on Yom Tov, it is forbidden to tie it on Yom Tov with a knot, but you may make a loop, or as the custom is, to wind the strip around the *lulav* and insert the end of the strip into the ring you made.

footnotes:
⁵ See Shaar Hatzion
⁶ This ruling also applies to one who is left-handed. (Ibid
⁷ According to Taz
⁸ This refers to the stem of the lulav


###### Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 136:9
[Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 136:9](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Kitzur%20Shulchan%20Arukh/r/136:9)

עֲרָבָה שֶנִּתְלְשָׁה בְּיוֹם טוֹב, בֵּין בְּיוֹם טוֹב רִאשׁוֹן בֵּין בְּיוֹם טוֹב שֵׁנִי, אֲסוּרָה הַיוֹם אֲפִלּוּ בְּטִלְטוּל בְּעָלְמָא, כִּי הִיא מֻקְצֶה גָמוּר. וְאִם נִתְלְשָׁה בְּיוּם טוֹב רִאשׁוֹן, כְּשֵׁרָה בְּיוֹם טוֹב שֵנִי. אַךְ אִם חָל יוֹם רִאשׁוֹן בַּשַׁבָּת וְנִתְלְשָׁה, אֲסוּרָה גַם בְּיוֹם שֵנִי. אִם הוּבְאוּ מִחוּץ לַתְּחוּם אֶתְרוֹג אוֹ שְׁאָר מִינִים, מֻתָּרִין לְטַלְטְלָן וְלָצֵאת בָּהֶם. אַךְ אִם אֵין הָעִיר מְתֻקֶּנֶת בְּעֵרוּבִין, אֲסוּרִין לְטַלְטֵל לַחוּץ מִן הַבַּיִת שֶׁהֵם שָׁם, וְיֵלְכוּ כֻלָּם שָׁמָּה לָצֵאת בָּהֶם.

**Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996:**
An *aravah* that was cut off the tree either on the first day of Yom Tov or on the second day is forbidden to be handled on that day, because it is absolutely *muktzeh*. If it was cut on the first day, it may be used on the second day. But if the first day occurs on Shabbos, and it was cut then, it is also forbidden on the second day. If an *esrog* was brought in, from outside the Shabbos boundary, or if any of the other species were brought in, you may handle them and fulfill the mitzvah with them. But if the city has no *eiruv*, you may not move them outside the house where they are found; and all must go to this house to fulfill the mitzvah with them.


###### Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 136:10
[Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 136:10](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Kitzur%20Shulchan%20Arukh/r/136:10)

מִי שֶׁאֵין לוֹ כָּל אַרְבַּעַת הַמִּינִים מֻבְחָרִים, טוֹב לוֹ יוֹתֵר לָצֵאת בְּשֶׁל חֲבֵרוֹ (וְעַיֵּן סִימָן שֶׁלְאַחַר זֶה סָעִיף ח). וּמִכָּל מָקוֹם מִצְוָה לוֹ שֶׁיִהְיוּ לוֹ גַם כֵּן אַרְבָּעָה מִינִים כְּפִי הַשָּׂגַת יָדוֹ לַעֲשׂוֹת בָּהֶם הַנִּעְנוּעִים.

**Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996:**
Should you not have been able to obtain choice specimens of all four species, you should rather fulfill the mitzvah with a set belonging to a friend,⁹, it is better to use your own even if they are not as beautiful as your friends. (*Ibid* 658:39) [who has obtained choice specimen,] (see following chapter, par. 8). Nevertheless, it is a mitzvah for you to obtain for yourself the best four species you can afford, in order to wave with them when you say *Halleil* and also for the *Hakafos*.

footnotes:
⁹ According to Mishnah Berurah