One of Sukkot's special mitzvot is to recite blessings over the Four Kinds: a citron, a palm branch, three myrtle twigs and two willow branches. The citron is held in one hand, while the palm, myrtle and willow are bundled together into what is called a lulav. An etrog is a kind of citron.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 5 minutes
Here's How:
- Stand facing east and hold the lulav in your right hand. Now you are going to recite a blessing called "al netilat lulav," which means "Commanded us to hold the lulav." It goes: "Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheynu Melech Ha Olam, asher kideshanu b'mitzvotav vitzivanu al netilat lulav." (Blessed are You Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has sanctified us with commandments and has commanded us to hold the lulav.)
- With the lulav still in your right hand, take the etrog in your left hand. If it is the first day of Sukkot or the first time you are participating in the mitzvah of holding the lulav and etrog, recite a blessing called the Shechiyanu. It goes like this: "Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheynu Melech Ha Olam, shechiyanu v'kimanu, v'higianu, lazman ha ze." (Blessed are You Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has given us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this moment.)
- Now bring the lulav and etrog together with both hands. Facing each of the six directions - south, north, east, west, up, down - you are going to wave them up and down. You are also going to do this to the southwest. Hold the lulav and etrog so that the top of the etrog is next to the bottom of the lulav and so that the etrog is covered with your fingers.
- Face south and wave the lulav and etrog three times, making sure the bottom of the bundle touches your chest, just over your heart, every time they are brought up towards you.
- Face north and repeat.
- Face east and repeat.
- Now raise the lulav and etrog upwards three times.
- Lower the lulav and etrog downwards three times.
- Now face west again and wave the lulav and etrog once, then twice to the southwest. When you wave them to the west uncover the etrog (which is covered with your fingers).
- End by waving the lulav and etrog once more to the west.
What You Need:
- A lulav
- An etrog
