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The Four Species

The Four Species (in Hebrew Arba'at HaMinim) are four plants that the Torah prescribes to be gathered and waved during the feast of Sukkot. They are…

2 min

The Four Species

The Four Species (in Hebrew Arba'at HaMinim) are four plants that the prescribes to be gathered and waved during the feast of . They are mentioned in Leviticus 23.40 and lie at the heart of a symbolic ritual rich in meaning.

These are the four species:

  1. The lulav – a straight branch of a date palm.
  2. The hadass – three sprigs of myrtle.
  3. The aravah – two branches of willow.
  4. The etrog – a citron, a fruit resembling a large lemon.

These species are held together (except the etrog, which is held separately) and waved in six directions (east, west, north, south, up, down) during prayer, especially during the recitation of the Hallel (Psalms 113 to 118). This gesture symbolizes sGod’s sovereignty over all creation and expresses a prayer for rain and for the fertility of the land.

According to rabbinic tradition, each species represents a type of person or a spiritual quality, and their union symbolizes the unity of the people of Israel in its diversity.