What are the Four Species?

Arbat HaMinim is Hebrew for The Four Species.

The Commandment

On Sukkot, Jews are commanded to use Arbat HaMinim, the four species, to "rejoice before God."

The Four Species

The four species are:

1. Etrog - citron (a citrus fruit native to Israel)
2. Lulav - palm branch
3. Hadas - myrtle branch
4. Arava - willow branch

The etrog is held separately. The three branches are bound together and referred to collectively as the lulav.

Rejoicing with the Four Species

With these four species in hand, Jews recite a blessing and wave the species in six directions (east, south, west, north, up and down) to symbolize that God is everywhere. The four species are also held during the Hallel prayer.

Each day during Sukkot, there are special processions in synagogue around the Torah. The etrog and lulav are held during these processions. These processions, called hoshanas because during the procession a prayer with the refrain hoshana (please save us) is recited, commemorate similar processions around the altar of the ancient Temple in Jerusalem.

More

• What is Sukkot?
• Celebrating Sukkot
• Building a Sukkah
• Sukkot Menus and Recipes

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