what is lulav

The lulav is a closed frond of the date palm tree, which is one of the Four Species used during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. The other Species are the hadass (myrtle), aravah (willow), and etrog (citron). When bound together, the lulav, hadass, and aravah are commonly referred to as "the lulav". The lulav and etrog are just two of four species of plants that are held together and waved during various parts of the synagogue service on Sukkot. The four species represent the four-letter Name of God, with the lulav being the vav, which channels the divine energy into the world and man. When we shake the lulav and etrog in six directions — forward, right, back, left, up, and down — we create a force field, surrounding us on all sides. We hope to be surrounded by and protected by our many blessings this year.