Lulav

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All week we are celebrating the Jewish festival of Sukkot (instructions begin in Leviticus 23:39).
Let us combine it with L-Day at ABC Wednesday.

Lulav! This Hebrew word לולב is the name for a ripe, green, closed frond from a date palm tree.
The man is meticulously examining the lulavim, deciding which one meets his standards and his budget.

Limes? Lemons?

No! These are etrogim. The etrog is the fruit of the citron tree.

Together with myrtle branches and willow branches, the lulav and the etrog make up the "four species" that are required for Sukkot.

You will enjoy reading about their rich symbolism.

While holding the plants together with both hands, you say the blessing and shake them above you, downward, in front of you, in back, and two both sides--showing that God is everywhere.
The leaves of the lulav make a nice snapping sound.

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But this should be done inside a sukkah, the temporary booth or hut we put up to "dwell in" during the week of Sukkot.

And, in the Diaspora at least, if you don't have or can't find a sukkah, Chabad will make sure you see their Sukkah Mobile at various obvious places.

The Chabadniks will make sure Jews perform the mitsva of eating in the sukkah and waving the lulav.

Look! Another Sukkah Mobile parked outside the Coliseum in Rome!

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The last two photos are borrowed from Chabad, with thanks. Thanks for all they do.

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