The Laws of the Four Species
(Lulav and Esrog)
| Arava | Haddas | Lulav | Etrog | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Willow | Myrtle | Date-palm | Citron |
| Number | 2 | 3 (Sefardim may add more) |
1 | 1 |
| Minimum size | 3 tefachim
30 cm, |
3 tefachim
30 cm, |
4 tefachim
40 cm (spine) |
1 beitzah
100 gram |
| If unavailable | 24.5 cm 9.7 inches |
24.5 cm 9.7 inches |
32.7 cm (spine) 12.9 inches |
57.6 gram 2.1 oz |
| Characteristics | Elongated, smooth-edged leaves | Leaves cover branch. 3 leaves sprout from same place on branch. | Long double leaves, covering spine, extending beyond spine | Elongated shape, skin not smooth, indented stem |
| Color | Green leaves, reddish stalk. O.K. if still green | Green leaves, green stalk | Green or greenish yellow | Yellow or light green |
| General disqualifications | Stolen. Borrowed (on first day). Dried out. Prohibited - e.g., from temple of idol worship. |
Same as previous column. | Same as previous column. Some lenient in times of great need. | Same as previous column. Dried out. |
| Specific disqualifications | Top cut off. Majority of leaves missing. Dried out. Leaves round, "serated" edges, stalk never red - indicate wrong species. |
Top cut off (if nothing else available, O.K.). Leaves don't grow in groups of 3 (if nothing else available, O.K.). Dried out leaves. |
Split top leaf. Leaves spread out, hardened or hanging down. Dried out leaves or spine. Top cut off. Curving to the side. Top of spine, bent down. |
Missing substance. Holes - where some of the peel is missing. Split. "Pitom" missing (except where it grew without). Dark spots on upper sloping part of etrog. Dry spots on upper slope. Stem missing. Spherical shape. |
| Sample Picture |
 |
 |
 |
 |
