FAQs

Sukkot 2024 begins in the evening of Wednesday, October 16th 2024.

We start the Mitzvah on the first day of Sukkot, Thursday, October 17 2024 from sunrise 6:30 am and each succeeding day of Sukkot (unless it is a Shabbos when the Lulav and Etrog are not shaken).

According to the Chabad custom, the Mitzvah is done in the following steps:

1. Pick up the Lulav in the right hand (if one is right handed, left handed people pick up the Lulav in the left hand)

2. Say the Bracha “… Al Netilat Lulav”

3. Pick up Etrog upright with the other hand (holding away from the Lulav)

4. Say the Bracha of “…Shehecheyanu” when doing the Mitzvah for the first time only

5. Join Etrog to Lulav, uniting all 4 kinds, and shake

The 4 kinds, which need to be shaken are:

One Etrog (Esrog), one Lulav, two Aravot and three Hadassim. Only the amount of Hadassim may be increased for the sake of beautifying the Mitzvah. See Rambam, Laws of Sukkot and Lulav, Chapter 7, Law 7.

See next menu item "Buying Guide".

We are unique in that we exclusively provide a binding service, continuing the family tradition, started by the trained Ash brothers and now being done by the Ash grandchildren. But if you do prefer binding the Lulav together on your own here is a detailed description how.

If this is your first time binding a Lulav, it can be tricky. The custom is to bind the Hadassim and Aravot to the Lulav with Lulav leaves—thus no foreign substance will separate between the Four Kinds and the hands of the person fulfilling the Mitzvah.

There is no single universally followed way of tying the Lulav. Different methods are employed in different communities.

In most communities, the three kinds are bound together by way of a special holder woven of lulav leaves, which slides up the bottom of the Lulav and has pockets or space for the Hadassim and Aravot. This holder is then securely tied to the Lulav with a strip of Lulav leaf. The Hadassim should be placed in the pocket to the right of the person holding the Lulav (as he will be shaking it on Sukkot), and the Aravot to the left. The thickish green exterior of the Lulav’s spine should be facing the person.

Handmade woven baskets can be purchased through us as well as the rings to assist in tying it all together.

Chabad Custom

Chabad custom is to bind the Lulav on the day prior to the holiday, while in the Sukkah. In addition, Chabad custom is not to use the woven baskets, but rather to tie the Hadassim and Aravot directly to the bottom of the Lulav using three Lulav-rings (all bound within the span of one handbreadth from the bottom of the Lulav).

First, two Lulav-rings are tightened around the midsection of the Lulav itself — both rings are tied to a place on the Lulav which will be covered by the soon to be added Hadassim and Aravot.

One Aravah is placed on the right of the Lulav (meaning, to the right of the person holding the Lulav) and one on the left. Then, one Hadas is placed on the right of the Lulav and one on the left (somewhat covering the aravot), and a third Hadas is placed in middle — along the spine of the Lulav bending towards the right side. Once these are all in place, they are all bound together with the three Lulav rings at the bottom.

Lulavim and Etrogim, like all perishables, need to be treated gently.

Lulav

Once the lulav is made with the Hadassim and Arovot attached, the optimal method for preserving the Lulav and its kinds is to spray attached Hadassim and Arovot with water and keep in closed aluminium foil only.

We do NOT recommend a damp cloth to be used.

Etrog

The Etrog, like all citrus fruit, can last some time out of the fridge; in fact it will probably be better off. You can leave it in the box provided with the foam insert. It is sensible to keep it in a position away from little children. If your Etrog is damaged it may no longer be kosher.

Yes, I do ship from Melbourne to International locations. Please contact me for more information.

Rabbi Pinchas Ash

+61 430 770 116

E: orders@esrogim.com.au

or: pinash@optusnet.com.au

We currently take Direct Bank Transfers online with our website.

Bank Details:

Account Name: Pinchas and Sue Ash

BSB: 037-175

Account number: 101021

On Website: Credit Card

Other options are Credit Card or Cash when you pick up your set of Lulav and Etrog in person.

We are located at

39 Wilgah St, St Kilda East VIC 3183