QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What Should I Do with My Holiday Lulav and Etrog Set?

B"H


Tishrei 25, 5773 * October 11, 2012

========================================
Q U E S T I O N O F T H E W E E K
========================================

What Should I Do with My Holiday Lulav and Etrog Set?
By Dovid Zaklikowski
======================================================

Dear Rabbi,

At the suggestion of my Chabad rabbi, I decided that I want to have my own lulav and etrog set [ http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=E5353BFF3013457C8E94302A401EB728&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2 ] for the holiday of Sukkot [ http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=BBB2FA83D6D96CFF9339448FE1A9C0FF&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2 ] so that my entire family can take part in the observance.

When the holiday is over, should I just throw it in the garbage?

Answer:

I commend you and your family for taking on this additional observance. Uniting your entire family in observing Jewish traditions brings positive energy to the Jewish experience in your home.

One may discard of the lulav and etrog set following the holiday of Sukkot; however, out of respect, it should be wrapped before placing it into the garbage. According to Jewish law [ http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=B9127EB7F38AC6748600B0E6B42D0494&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2 ], one should show respect for an item that was used for a Jewish observance.[1]

However, the best thing a person can do with an item like this is to use it for another Jewish observance. Here are some ideas for the lulav and etrog set:

* Burn it with leavened bread [ http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=8A64D85A524F990183315B147087D88E&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2 ] (and other leavened products, known as chametz [ http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=8A64D85A524F990183315B147087D88E&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2 ]) on the eve of Passover [ http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=1B924F7EB52AFDA8B9F68DE808B5564C&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2 ].
* Use the myrtles (hadassim [ http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=F1B788DEE220E840C614E6E89D76A933&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2 ]) together with other spices as a fragrance (the besamim [ http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=BF60225C8C6CDA5246F94D6B4B272090&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2 ]) at the traditional havdalah ceremony [ http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=2427A743902F1E46087C71A90B6F6F15&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2 ] said at the conclusion of the Sabbath.
* Some insert cloves into the citrus (etrog [ http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=156189883B54409988BC34B69A50DA09&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2 ]) and let it dry, and use it as a fragrance during the havdalah ceremony.
* If you are creative with your hands, you can make a basket out of the palm branches and place the spices in there.
* Others fry the citrus and eat it on the New Year for trees (Tu B'shvat) [ http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=349A972DEF464298818AA12D2B8CA9E7&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2 ].[2]
* Make a jelly from the citrus and eat it on the Sabbath [ http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=5EA2CCF59E218E6805F83D80D49DACBE&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2 ].[3]
* Using the lulav to feed the fire that bakes the matzah [ http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=7E83D97D041B6B3A5AEDB341B1BBD0F4&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2 ], the thin cracker-like, unleavened bread eaten on Passover.[4]

Or you could come up with your own ideas to continue making use of the lulav and etrog set for the good.


FOOTNOTES
1.See the Code of Jewish Law, Orach Chayim 665:8-9 and 21:1.
2.These customs are cited by Rabbi Gavriel Zinner, Nitei Gavriel, ch. 61.
3.What my grandmother, Esther Bukiet, used to do with it every year.
4.Rabbi Jacob ben Moshe Halevi Molin, known as the Maharil, cited by Rabbi Moshe Isserlis in Orach Chayim 665:9.


- Dovid Zaklikowski [ http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=91658C850556DF0E789C0B0CF53216DD&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2 ] is the director of Lubavitch Archives and is on the editorial staff of Chabad.org. Dovid and his wife Chana Raizel are the proud parents of four: Motti, Meir, Shaina & Moshe Binyomin.


- To view this article on the Web, or to post a comment, please click here: http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=FE2A4770798A5246792A6155488E307E&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

This subscription is available and better viewed in a graphic (HTML) format. To update your preferences, please click here:
http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=9A62C3FD87A7B18A9431B41D0BFF3C7B&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Copyright © Chabad.org

For more Torah study and inspiring articles, please visit:
http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=7ADC0A61374C612773B8995C8197B630&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

** Enjoyed this email? Please help us continue sharing the
study of Torah and Jewish traditions:

Dedicate or sponsor an email to mark your special occasion!
Please click here: http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=ED78EF839C3D884DA1E10CCE6C602538&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2

Please click here to make a donation to Chabad.org:
http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=F3F5EF3180CA7288EA503898826C8CA3&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2

** Important Tip: In order to guarantee that your Chabad.org subscription
emails continue to be delivered to you, please make sure to add our
address, subscriptions@chabad.org, to your address book, or "whitelist"
it in any spam filters or spam programs you may have.

** Manage your complete subscription profile online: Subscribes,
unsubscribes, address changes, vacation holds, and more. Register here:
http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=B788974EC75948162B7F5D874DE3A9C3&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2&emailpk=_372988_1826535@

** To subscribe to more Chabad.org email lists please click here:
http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=9F383653C28A184E9A8D6C7B2A53BBC4&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2

** To be removed from this email list please click here:
http://www.chabad.org/unsub.asp?i=5AF469836754813073BE2897DBF1FAB7A811C7093215A59246B6B0795866D40B
If you would just like your email suspended and resumed at a later
date, please let us know here:
http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=E265F0F11617933628BAF157E8DE68D1&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2&email=yurochkadrugach.yurochka@blogger.com

** You are subscribed to the "Question of the Week" email list as:
yurochkadrugach.yurochka@blogger.com. If your e-mail address is changing
please send us your new email address here:
http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=0727F1D5186D6085B67F1A415597B00D&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2&email=yurochkadrugach.yurochka@blogger.com

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Chabad.org
Chabad Lubavitch Media Center
770 Eastern Parkway * Brooklyn, NY * 11213
Web: http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=0EED05FEFB24E908084C6AF8C0C6F8BB&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2
Feedback: http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=96E8CB5E16299E921DC648D8B9C20055&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>