Beating the Aravot
From Halachipedia
Beating the Aravot
- We hold like the opinion in the gemara that the beating of the aravot is a minhag neviim, and therefore there is no beracha recited on it. [1]
Who's obligated?
- Women are exempt from beating the Aravot. [2]
Which Aravot are fit?
References
- ↑ This argument about whether its a minhag neviim or yesod neviim appears on succa 44a-b. Rashi there says the practical difference halachically is whether or not we say a beracha, meaning since we hold its minhag therefore we don't say the beracha. (Rambam Hilchot Succa 7:22)
- ↑ Chazon Ovadyah (Sukkot pg 443)
- ↑ Chazon Ovadyah (Sukkot pg 443)
- ↑ Mishna Berura 664:21 as well as Chazon Ovadia Succot 442 say that although Shulchan Aruch 664:6 holds like the gemara succa 44b that you cannot be yotzei with the aravot with the lulav, that's only talking about when the aravot are still tied to the lulav. In addition, this is not a problem of maalin bakodesh viein moridin (we go up in holiness and don't go down) because the Mordechai says that's only referring to items that are holy and not items that are just used for a mitzva. Beit Yosef Yoreh Deah 259 and Schach 259:11 hold like this.