Kedushas Shemita: Lulav

Q. Does kedushas shemita also apply to a lulav from Eretz Yisroel?

A. The Rambam (Peirush Ha’Mishnah Sukkah 3:9) and Rav Ovadya Mi’Bartenura (Sukkah 3:11) both write that kedushas shemita does not apply to a lulav, since it is a branch, and not an edible fruit. Rebbi Akiva Eiger strongly questions this ruling, since the Gemara (Sukkah 39b) states that a lulav does have kedushas shemita. Although a branch which is only usable as firewood does not have kedusha, a lulav can provide a benefit when used as a broom; this type of benefit means that it is included in kedushas shemita. Poskim point out that Rashi and Tosfos both write that a lulav has kedushas shemita, and the Maharil Diskin writes that one should be strict. However, Rav Wosner zt”l (Shevet Halevi 1:181) writes that since most Rishonim are lenient, and there are clear implication from other Gemaras that kedushas shemita does not apply to any type of wood, one may follow the majority opinion.

Although the Maharil Diskin was strict regarding a lulav, he agrees that hadassim and aravos do not have kedusha. They are like regular branches of wood since they are not used to make brooms.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.