Waving the Lulav

Waving the Lulav from MJL.com


It is a mitzvah to wave the lulav on each of the first seven days of Sukkot. The proper time is in the morning--either before the Morning Service or during the service immediately before the Hallel. A meditation (found in the Siddur) is recited prior to the blessing (this has many kabbalistic secrets concealed within it). The blessing is:

"Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us concerning the waving of the lulav."

Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha'olam asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu al netilat lulav.


On the first day of waving add:

"Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has granted us life, sustenance, and permitted us to reach this season."

Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha'olam shehehiyanu v'kiyemanu v'higiyanu lazman hazeh.


Before the blessing, the etrog is held with its pittum (stemlike protrusion) pointed downward. After the blessing, it is inverted so that the pittum faces up. At this point you wave/shake the lulav (together with the other three) in the following manner:

1. Stand facing east.

2. Hold the lulav out to the east (in front of you) and shake it three times. Each time the motion of shaking should be a drawing in to you--reach and draw in, reach out and draw in, reach out and draw in.

3. Repeat the same motion three times to your right (south), behind over your shoulder (west), to your left (north), raising it up above you, lowering it down below you.

4. All of these should be done slowly and deliberately--concentrating on the symbolisms and intentions of the act. The lulav is also waved during Hallel while saying: "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for His lovingkindness endures forever."

Hodu - shake front [East]

L'Adonai - [never shake when saying God's name]

Ki - shake right [South]

Tov - shake back [West]

Ki - shake left [North]

Le-olam - shake up

Chasdo - shake down

This verse occurs twice during Hallel.

The lulav is again waved while saying: "Let Israel say that His lovingkindness endures forever."

Yomar - shake front [East]

Na - shake right [South]

Yisrael - shake back [West]

Ki - shake left [North]

Le-olam - shake up

Chasdo - shake down

And it is waved again while saying: "We implore You, Lord, save us."

A-na - [Shake front/East on first syllable, shake right/South on second syllable]

Adonai - [never shake when saying God's name]

Ho-shi-ah [Shake back/West first syllable, shake left/North second syllable, shake up last syllable]

Na - shake down