What Are the Four Species?

On Sukkot, Jews fulfill the commandment of taking the Four Species—the lulav (palm), etrog (citron), hadassim (myrtle), and aravot (willow). This mitzvah is both visually striking and rich with symbolic meaning.

The Biblical Command

וּלְקַחְתֶּם לָכֶם בַּיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן פְּרִי עֵץ הָדָר כַּפֹּת תְּמָרִים וַעֲנַף עֵץ עָבֹת וְעַרְבֵי נָחַל

Translation: On the first day you shall take the fruit of a beautiful tree, palm branches, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook. (Leviticus 23:40)

The rabbis identified these as etrog, lulav, hadassim, and aravot.

The Four Species

Etrog (Citron)

A lemon-like citrus fruit with a beautiful fragrance. It's held separately in the left hand. Great care is taken to obtain a beautiful etrog without blemishes.

Lulav (Palm Branch)

Hadassim (Myrtle)

Three myrtle branches are bound to the right side of the lulav. Their leaves grow in triplets.

Aravot (Willow)

Two willow branches are bound to the left side of the lulav. Their leaves are smooth-edged, unlike myrtle.

How They Are Used

The lulav bundle is held in the right hand; the etrog in the left. The blessing is recited, then all four are brought together and waved in six directions—forward, right, back, left, up, and down—symbolizing God's presence everywhere. This waving occurs during Hallel prayers and in a procession (hakafot) around the synagogue.

Symbolic Interpretations

Parts of the Body

Etrog = heart; lulav = spine; hadassim = eyes; aravot = lips. Together they represent serving God with our whole being.

Types of Jews

Etrog has taste and fragrance = Jews with Torah and good deeds. Lulav has taste but no fragrance = Torah without deeds. Hadassim have fragrance but no taste = deeds without Torah. Aravot have neither = Jews with neither. Together they represent Jewish unity.

Rain and Harvest

The species are used to pray for rain in the coming year, essential for the Land of Israel.

Hoshanah Rabbah

On the seventh day of Sukkot, there are special hakafot and the aravot are beaten on the ground, marking the conclusion of the judgment period begun on Rosh Hashanah.