Halocho #1903 - Tell me about the Lulav

On Sukkoth there's a Mitzvah to shake the four species; a Lulav, 3 Haddasim, 2 Aravot and an Etrog.

The לוּלָב is a palm branch that is still closed. Once the leaves start fanning out, it's no longer a לוּלָב .

A לוּלָב has a spine from which the leaves protrude; this spine needs to be facing you when you shake the four species. The לוּלָב  spine should be straight, a slight curvature towards you is allowed.

The לוּלָב spine must be at least 4 טְפָחִים - about 32 cm - 13" - long. This is measured from the bottom of the lowest "leaf" to the bottom of the highest "leaf".

Each "leaf" is made of 2 parts that are connected (and will eventually open up into a V-shaped palm leaf). If these double-leaves start separating then the לוּלָב may no longer be Kosher. Special care should be taken that the highest leaves remain coupled.

Source: Shulchan Aruch 645. Ktiva Vechatima Tova

- Danny
Sunday, 19 Elul 5777

וְיֵשׁ לְהַדֵר לִקְנוֹת לוּלָב חָדָשׁ, כִּי לוּלָב הַיָבֵשׁ אֵינוֹ כָּשֵׁר אֶלָּא בִּשְׁעַת הַדְּחָק. וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים, דְּכֹל שֶכָּלְתָה הַיַרְקוּת שֶבּוֹ, הֲוֵי יָבֵשׁ. שִׁעוּר הַלּוּלָב, שֶׁתִּהְיֶה הַשִׁדְרָה חוּץ מִן הֶעָלִין הָעֶלְיוֹנִים, אַרְבָּעָה טְפָחִים. וּבִשְׁעַת הַדְּחָק, שְׁלשָׁה עָשָֹר אֲגוּדָלִין וּשְׁלִישׁ גוּדָל סַגֵי