The Four Species

"Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are home-born in Israel shall dwell in booths"
Leviticus 23:42

The Festival of Sukkoth begins on Tishri 15, the fifth day after Yom Kippur. Sukkoth is the last of the Shalosh R'galim ("three pilgrimage festivals").

One of the special commandments of Sukkoth is the mitzvah of the Four Species.
Origin of the Four Species

The Biblical origin of the Four Species can be found in The Book of Leviticus 23;40-
"וּלְקַחְתֶּם לָכֶם בַּיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן, פְּרִי עֵץ הָדָר כַּפֹּת תְּמָרִים, וַעֲנַף עֵץ-עָבֹת, וְעַרְבֵי-נָחַל; וּשְׂמַחְתֶּם, לִפְנֵי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם--שִׁבְעַת יָמִים

"
"And ye shall take you on the first day the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm-trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook, and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days."

The etrog (citrus) has both a good taste and a good smell, symbolizing one who possesses both the blessings of knowledge of Torah and of good deeds.

The lulav(palm branch) has good taste but no aroma .It represents those among Israel who are Torah scholars but do not particularly emphasize good deeds.

The Hadas(myrtle ) has pleasant aroma but no taste. It represents those among Israel who are filled with good deeds but are not learned in Torah.

The Aravah(willow branch ) has neither taste nor aroma. It represents those among Israel who are unlearned in Torah and void of good deeds.
Holding these Four Species in a tight bond shows that although each kind represents a different type of Jew, the mitzvah of Sukkoth unites us all.

Main phrases of the post + transcription + translation

Hebrew      Transcription    Translation
הֲדַס           hădas              Myrtle
אֶתְרוֹג          'etrôg              Citrus
לוּלָב            lûlāb               Palm branch
עֲרָבָה          'ărābāh            Willow branch
סֻכָּה             sukkāh          Sukkah

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