Important Halacha Regarding Arba Minim

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arbah-minimBy Rabbi Yair Hoffman

Two years ago, an unofficial poll taken in Far Rockaway, New York, revealed a startling and alarming fact. Over 90% of women polled were unaware of the halacha of “lochem.” The Torah tells us of a requirement in the laws of lulav and esrog that applies on the first day of Sukkos. The Arba Minim, the four kinds taken on Sukkos, must belong to the person who is performing the mitzvah. It may not be borrowed – it must be owned. One may, of course, rely on the concept of “Matana al menas lehachzir” – a conditional gift where the recipient will eventually give back the item – but this is not akin to borrowing. It is still considered ownership.

These halachos are discussed in Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 649:2. Remember, it applies only on the first and second day of Yom Tov – not on the other days of Sukkos.

Question: What happens if someone takes a Lulav on the first (or second day of Yom Tov) and does not fulfill the Mitzvah of lochem?

Answer: They have not fulfilled the Mitzvah and the blessing is considered a Bracha Levatala.

Question: What if the husband or father has in mind to give it as a gift but the person acquiring it does not have in mind to acquire it?

Answer: It still does not work. One needs to have in mind that they are acquiring something in order to acquire it.

Question: But aren’t women exempt from this Mitzvah?

Answer: Yes, but if they do choose to do it, they should do it right.

This is an important halacha. And it should be taught to all women who perform the Mitzvah of Lulav and Esrog.

The issue in regard to minors is discussed in the Gemara (Sukkah 46b) regarding how exactly a minor should perform this Mitzvah. The Gemorah states that says that one should not give his lulav as a gift to a minor on the first Yom Tov, because a minor is unaware of the notion of giving something back. In other words, he can receive an object but cannot give it back to others.

The Shulchan Aruch (OC 658:6) does bring a dissenting opinion (Ran) that a child at the stage of p’utot (who understands buying and selling- usually at age six) is able to halachically give the lulav back (see Shulchan Aruch, CM 235:1), however most Poskim rule stringently for children.

The author can be reached at [email protected].

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8 COMMENTS

  1. Many are M’hader in Mitzvohs all year.
    The siddur by Seffiras Ho’omer should be Lochem. But the the Tzitzus doesn’t have to, because it says Lo’Hem. The Parmut of a get should be from the woman’s property because it says Vkosav Loh. The Tefilin Shell Yad should be your own, it says V’hoyo L’choh L’ois.

  2. I would like to say that I believe that 99.9% of the people do not know that in Chutz La’Aretz (i.e. the US and elsewhere outside Eretz Yisrael) this halacha applies on BOTH the first AND second day of Yom Tov.
    In addition, even in EY someone who keeps two days of Yom Tov has the same din i.e. HE needs it to be “lochem” and if he “borrows” any of the daled minim from his Israeli friend etc. on the SECOND day he would NOT be yotze!

  3. This halachah cannot possibly be as applicable on the second day as it is on the first. Even in Chutz la’aretz’ the second day is the second day, yom tov sheni is d’rabbonon, and even if one observes it k’eyn d’oraisa, it is still d’rabbonon. “Lachem” cannot apply mi’d’oraisa.

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