SOME TIPS ON HOW TO LOOK AFTER YOUR LULAV SET
Your Lulav set needs to last throughout the seven days of the festival. Here are some tips to help you keep everything fresh throughout the entire period:
1. The Hadassim and Aravot should be kept refrigerated for as long as possible from the time of purchasing your set. The Etrog must not be refrigerated. The Lulav does not need to be kept in the fridge either.
2. The Etrog (citron) will last as long, as it is not exposed to extreme temperatures during the festival days. Be careful not to scrape it against anything – and keep it inside its box (inside the foam covering) whenever it is not in use.
3. The Lulav (palm branch) will remain fresh for the entire period. Be careful not to keep it immersed in water. The water will cause the leaves to open.
4. The Hadassim (myrtles) should remain fresh for the entire period of the festival. See below, however, on how to maintain the freshness best.
5. The Aravot (willow branches) can expire within one to two days if not kept fresh – making the entire set pasul (unfit for use)! It is a good idea to change these regularly throughout the festival if possible. One can do so each day. If not possible, one can keep them fresh enough to use for two or even three days. It is not always easy to keep them fresh for longer – which can invalidate the entire set! It is quite usual to change them at least once during the festival.
KEEP YOUR LULAV SET FRESH!
1. It is best to cut a rectangular piece of aluminum foil the size to be able to wrap around the bottom area of the Lulav where the Hadassim and Aravot are also situated.
2. Place a piece of newspaper or paper towel slightly smaller – on top of the foil.
3. Moisten the paper slightly and wrap both paper and foil around the Lulav
4. Place Lulav in a specially designed bag and keep it out of sunlight.
5. Keep paper moistened through the festival
Don’t forget – it is best to change the Aravot at least once during the festival – and if possible – every single day (certainly if one sees the leaves falling off, drying out, and drooping completely, having lost their original look.)
ANOTHER GREAT VIDEO SHOWING HOW TO MAKE LULAV RINGS
IN LESS THAN A MINUTE
