Order of Taking the Four Minim: Difference between revisions

# Since we fulfill the mitzva of arba minim by simply lifting them together <ref> Sukka 42a </ref>  it’s preferable to follow one of the following so that you say the beracha and then do the mitzva. Either

* take the lulav (including the Hadashim and Aravot) in one’s right hand, leave the Etrog on the Table (out of the box) <ref>As the rambam says in Hilchot Succa 7:5 the taking of the daled minim are all one mitzva and are miakev each other(meaning taking 3 without the 4th doesn't fulfill anything.) </ref>

* or take the Lulav in one’s right hand, and Etrog in one’s left hand while the Etrog is upside down <ref> Holding the etrog upside down allows you not to fulfill your obligation until you flip it over because the gemara succa 45b that in order to fulfill the mitzva of taking the daled minim all four have to be held kiderech gideilatan"-the way in which they grow. </ref>

and then make the Bracha. After one makes the Bracha one should pick up the Etrog in his left hand. <Ref> All three suggestions are made by tosafot in Succa 29a "over". 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. </ref>

# 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. <Ref> Rosh Succa 3:33, Chayei Adam 148:11 Mishna Brurah 651:27 and Yalkut Yosef (Kitzur S”A 651:14). The Bikkurei Yaakov 651:20extends it to the entire hallel and the Aruch Hashulchan 651:14 says that as long as your still holding your lulav you can still say the beracha. Shaar Hatziyun 651:32 however rejects this opinion. </ref>