Four Species: Four Types

The seven days of Sukkot (Oc. 6-13, 2025) are marked by dwelling in the sukkah, taking the Four Kinds, and joy. Sukkot recalls G‑d sheltering our ancestors as they traveled from Egypt to the Promised Land. The Four Kinds express our unity and our belief in G‑d. Coming after the Days of Awe, Sukkot is a time of great joy.

The first two days (or one day in Israel) are yom tov, when work is forbidden, candles are lit in the evening, and festive meals are preceded by Kiddush and challah dipped in honey. The other days are quasi-holidays, chol hamoed. We dwell in the sukkah and take the Four Kinds each day (except for Shabbat).

The Midrash explains that the mitzvah of the lulav and etrog symbolizes the unity of the Jewish people. This mitzvah requires holding together four species- the date palm (lulav), the myrtle (hadas), the willow (aravot), and the citron (etrog).

These species greatly differ: The etrog has both a nice taste and a sweet smell. The fruit of the lulav tree, the date, has taste, but no smell. The myrtle has a nice smell but no taste, and the willow has neither.

Taste symbolizes Torah study, which gives tangible delight, while smell symbolizes mitzvot, whose gratification is often less felt since the reasons for mitzvot are hidden.

Thus, each species represents a different type of Jew. The etrog- one who studies Torah and fulfills the mitzvot, the lulav- one who studies Torah but does not perform mitzvot, the myrtle- one who fulfills mitzvot but does not study Torah, and the willow- one who neither studies Torah nor observes mitzvot.

The lulav and etrog teach that no Jew can be complete alone. Even the virtuous etrog is only valid when joined with the humble willow, showing that the unity of our people is a vital ingredient in the growth of every individual.

Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach!

Shabbat starts with lighting candles at 6:16 PM.

The first night of Sukkot is Monday night, with candle lighting at 6:11 PM. 

On Tuesday evening, light holiday candles after 7:08 PM from a pre-existing flame. 

For the blessings and to learn more about Sukkot, please visit www.chabad.org/sukkot.