Order of Taking the Four Minim

From Halachipedia
The printable version is no longer supported and may have rendering errors. Please update your browser bookmarks and please use the default browser print function instead.

Set up of the Arba Minim

  1. The Sephardic custom is to put one Hadas and one Aravah on the left of the lulav, one Hadas in the middle together with the Lulav, and one Hadas and one Aravah on the right side. [1] However, the Ashkenazic custom is to set up the Hadasim to the right of the Lulav and the Aravot to the left. [2]
  2. One should make sure it up so that the Hadasim are above the Aravot. [3]

When to make the Bracha

  1. It’s preferable to either
  • take the lulav (including the Hadashim and Aravot) in one’s right hand, leave the Etrog on the Table (out of the box)
  • or take the Lulav in one’s right hand, and Etrog in one’s left hand while the Etrog is upside down
  • or take the Lulav and Etrog in their upright positions and have in mind not to fulfill the mitzvah until you make the Bracha.

and then make the Bracha. After one makes the Bracha one should pick up the Etrog in his left hand. [4]

  1. After the fact if one took all four species (before making the Bracha), one may still make the Bracha as long as one didn’t shake it yet. [5]

References

  1. Magan Avraham 651:4 quoting the Arizal writes that one should put one Hadas and one Aravah on the left of the lulav, one Hadas in the middle together with the Lulav, and one Hadas and one Aravah on the right side. The Shaar HaTzion 651:11 quotes the Pri Megadim who says that one shouldn’t follow that practice unless one is known for his piety. However, Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 160) writes that the Sephardic custom is to follow the Arizal. The Chazon Ovadyah (Sukkot pg 343) also quotes the Magan Avraham.
  2. Mishna Brurah 651:12, Natai Gavriel (Arba Minim 40:4)
  3. Rama 651:1, Natai Gavriel 40:8, Chazon Ovadyah (Sukkot pg 343-4)
  4. S”A 651:5 suggests the first two suggestions, while the Mishna Brurah 651:25 quotes the Bet Yosef who brings the third option and quotes the Gra as saying that the third option is the most preferable. The Mishna Brurah makes no mention of which option is preferable. Yalkut Yosef (Kitzur S”A 651:14) also brings all three opinions and doesn’t decide on which is most preferable.
  5. Mishna Brurah 651:27 and Yalkut Yosef (Kitzur S”A 651:14)