The Four Species Ritual

One of the more mysterious rituals of Sukkot is the shaking of four species of plants:

• Etrog, a citrus fruit

• Lulav, a date palm

• Hadass, myrtle leaves

• Aravah, willow leaves

You can learn more about some of the four species symbolism here or continue below to learn about the origins of this ritual or follow along with the blessings.

Origins from the Torah

In the Torah, the four species ritual is mentioned in relation to Sukkot:

English

On the first day, gather branches from magnificent trees —
palm fronds, boughs from leafy trees, and willows that grow by brooks. Then rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days.

Leviticus 23:40

Hebrew

וּלְקַחְתֶּ֨ם לָכֶ֜ם בַּיּ֣וֹם הָרִאשׁ֗וֹן פְּרִ֨י עֵ֤ץ הָדָר֙ כַּפֹּ֣ת תְּמָרִ֔ים וַעֲנַ֥ף עֵץ־עָבֹ֖ת וְעַרְבֵי־נָ֑חַל וּשְׂמַחְתֶּ֗ם לִפְנֵ֛י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖ם שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִֽים׃

ויקרא כג מ

The ritual

Every morning of Sukkot (except for Saturday), hold the bouquet of the three plants in your right hand and the etrog in your left hand.

Say:

Blessed are you, Adonai our God, Overseer of all existence, who has sanctified us through Your commandments and ordained the waving of the lulav.
— Amen

Now hold the four species together and shake in all directions.

On the first day, some add:

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Overseer of all existence, who has enabled us to be alive, to exist, and to arrive at this very moment.

— Amen

Hebrew

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ עַל נְטִילַת לוּלָב:

אמן-

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu al n'tilat lulav.

Hebrew

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹהינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה

אמן-

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech Ha-Olam, sheh-he-chi-ya-nu ve-kimanu, ve-hi-gi-anu lah-zman ha-zeh. Amen.