Aravot: Difference between revisions

* The Rosh (3:13) writes that it seems that the Rif agrees with Tosfot, as he does not quote the Gemara on 33b. Nonetheless, the Rosh records that the minhag was to use aravot even if they did not grow by a river. To defend the minhag, the Rosh rejects the view of Tosfot, and instead argues that the Gemara was agreed upon by all opinions. The Tur (647) writes that although most authorities maintain that having an aravah that grew by the water is preferable, the Rosh and Rambam (7:3) seem to hold that aravah wherever it grew is totally acceptable.

* Shulchan Aruch (647:1) quotes the language of the Rambam in ruling that all aravot are acceptable for use. Even though the Beit Yosef (647:2) quotes Rav Eliyahu Mizrachi’s view that the Rambam agrees with Rashi that it is preferable to use an aravah that grew by a river, the Beit Yosef himself disagrees with this interpretation. Furthermore, the Taz (647:2) goes so far as to suggest that it is better to take an aravah that did not grow by the water so as to show that we accept Chazal’s interpretation of the pasuk. Mishna Brurah (647:3) concludes that some say it is preferable to use aravot that grew by water. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (136:5) and Kaf Hachaim (647:6) agree. </ref>

# The Eucalyptus species which looks similar to the aravah is pasul. (See picture to the right). <ref>Sh"t Har Tzvi YD 181 writes that the Eucalyptus is not the correct species of aravah because it has a nice smell and usually doesn't grow by the water. Chazon Ovadya (p. 317) quotes this. </ref>

==Aravot which lost leaves or dried out==

# If most of the leaves of an aravah dried out to the extent that they lost their green color, the aravah is pasul. If, however, the leaves only withered and did not completely dry out, the aravah may still be used.<Ref> The Mishna (33b) writes that a dry aravah is disqualified, while a withered one is valid. The Rif (16a), Rambam (8:1), and Rosh (3:13) all codify this Mishna as halacha. To clarify the boundary described by the Mishna, Rambam explains that an aravah is valid as long as it is not completely dry. Tur and Shulchan Aruch (647:2) codify this as the halacha. Mishna Brurah (647:7) and Chazon Ovadia (p. 317) clarify that an aravah is disqualified once a majority of its leaves have become dried out. Shaar Hatziyun (647:6) quotes Bikkurei Yaakov, who says that to be considered dried out an aravah must lose all of its green color. Chazon Ovadia, however, says that the aravah must turn white.</ref>