- Shabbat and Holidays
- Arba'at Haminim
How to choose the Arba MInim
Laws of the Arava
The laws of the Arava - Willow, one of the four spices.
Our sages learnt from the verse "And ye shall take you on the first day... and willows of the brook" (Vayikra 23, 40) that one of the four species is Arava - willow. We take 2 branches of willow and tie them on the left side of the Lulav
• What is a Willow - "A Willow has a red stem, the leaf is long and the edge of the leaf is smooth."
The Rishonim argue how to explain the Gemara which says that there is a Kosher kind of Willow which has a serrated edge. Rashi explains that all of the "teeth" face one direction and the Rambam explains that they are small. The Shulchan Aruch holds like the Rambam.
• What isn’t Arava - Populus isn’t an Arava although it grows next to water and so isn’t an isn’t almond. Although their leaves are similar, both are missing the Arava signs. Acacia saligna isn’t Arava, the leaves are a bit hard and it hasn’t got a red stem.
• Eucalyptus - the Eucalyptus leaves are long and the stem is red. Rabbi Tzvi Pesach Frank says in the name of Maharil Diskin that it’s Kosher as Arava, but most authorities prohibit it because it doesn't grow mostly on water. Eucalyptus is identified by its smell (and Arava according to the Midrash has no smell) and by the smooth edge while Willow leaves are a bit serrated.
• Types of Willow we shouldn’t use - Salix babylonica (Babylon willow or Weeping willow - the stem isn’t red and the "teeth" are sharp. White willow (Salix Alba) has a rough edge and it is better not to use it (This type is common!).
• Truncated - if the top of the Arava is truncated, it isn’t Kosher. A young bud is a clear sign that it is not truncated, though a young bud isn’t necessary.
• Stolen - it is very important to check that the Arava isn’t stolen (from someone's yard or a park), even when used only for the last days (when we can use lended 4 Minim).
• Length - The length of the Arava should be at least 3 Tefachim (24-30 cm).
• What is a Willow - "A Willow has a red stem, the leaf is long and the edge of the leaf is smooth."
The Rishonim argue how to explain the Gemara which says that there is a Kosher kind of Willow which has a serrated edge. Rashi explains that all of the "teeth" face one direction and the Rambam explains that they are small. The Shulchan Aruch holds like the Rambam.
• What isn’t Arava - Populus isn’t an Arava although it grows next to water and so isn’t an isn’t almond. Although their leaves are similar, both are missing the Arava signs. Acacia saligna isn’t Arava, the leaves are a bit hard and it hasn’t got a red stem.
• Eucalyptus - the Eucalyptus leaves are long and the stem is red. Rabbi Tzvi Pesach Frank says in the name of Maharil Diskin that it’s Kosher as Arava, but most authorities prohibit it because it doesn't grow mostly on water. Eucalyptus is identified by its smell (and Arava according to the Midrash has no smell) and by the smooth edge while Willow leaves are a bit serrated.
• Types of Willow we shouldn’t use - Salix babylonica (Babylon willow or Weeping willow - the stem isn’t red and the "teeth" are sharp. White willow (Salix Alba) has a rough edge and it is better not to use it (This type is common!).
• Truncated - if the top of the Arava is truncated, it isn’t Kosher. A young bud is a clear sign that it is not truncated, though a young bud isn’t necessary.
• Stolen - it is very important to check that the Arava isn’t stolen (from someone's yard or a park), even when used only for the last days (when we can use lended 4 Minim).
• Length - The length of the Arava should be at least 3 Tefachim (24-30 cm).
House Call
At the Shabbat Table
Rabbi Daniel Kirsch | Tishrei 13 5781

Laws of the Lulav
How to choose a Lulav
Rabbi Ido Yaakovi | Tishrei 5776

Laws of the Etrog
How to choose an Etrog
Rabbi Ido Yaakovi

Obtaining Arba’ah Minim for the Sukkot after Shemitta
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Tisheri 7 5776

Rabbi Ido Yaakovi
Teaches in the Beit El Yeshiva.

To See Through Eyes of Sanctity
5765

Laws of the Etrog
How to choose an Etrog

The Laws of the Hadas
How to chose the Arba Minim

Laws of the Lulav
How to choose a Lulav
Tishrei 5776

May I Daven in English?
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff

Writing on Shabbat
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff

Shabbos Shirah
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Shvat 11 5776
Automatic Holiness!
Rabbi Netanel Yossifun | Shvat 12 5783
Automatic Holiness!
Rabbi Netanel Yossifun | Shvat 12 5783

Car Accident – part II
Based on ruling 82016 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit | Shvat 5783

It's Easy and Simple to Go to Freedom
Rabbi Haggai Lundin | Shvat 5783
