1. Charity and Preparations for Erev Sukkos
Erev Sukkos is a time of special mitzvos, including building the sukkah—the temporary dwelling for the festival—and preparing the dalet minim—the four species: lulav (palm branch), esrog (citron), hadasim (myrtles), and aravos (willows). As with other festivals, there are increased expenses, and it is important to remember those less fortunate who may not be able to afford the necessities for a joyous yom tov. The Rebbe instituted that just as we give maos chitim—charity for Passover needs—before Pesach, so too should we collect and distribute funds before Sukkos to ensure everyone can celebrate properly.
In addition to general charity, there is a custom in some communities, especially in chutz laaretz—outside of Israel—to give extra tzedakah each day. However, when Yom Tov and Shabbos fall consecutively, as often happens with Sukkos, one cannot handle money for three days. Therefore, it is customary to give additional charity on Erev Yom Tov to cover these days. In Israel, where only one day of Yom Tov is observed, this issue is less pronounced.
The Rebbe also encouraged distributing sets of the four species to those who do not have their own. Since the Torah says that the lulav and esrog should be “yours,” it is best for each person to have their own set. While one can fulfill the mitzvah with a borrowed set if it is given as a gift with the intention of return (matanah al menas lehachzir), it is preferable for everyone to have their own.
2. Building and Beautifying the Sukkah
The mitzvah of building a sukkah includes actively participating in its construction when possible. While some Rebbeim had others build their sukkah, it was customary for them at least to place some branches on the s'chach—the sukkah covering—to take part in the mitzvah.
A sukkah may be built inside a house by removing part of the roof and replacing it with kosher s'chach. The main halachic requirement is that there be at least two complete walls plus a partial third wall. However, Chabad tradition is to build four full walls from any material. The walls do not need to meet any specific requirements beyond being sturdy enough to withstand normal wind.
The Chabad custom is also to use an abundance of s'chach, following the Alter Rebbe’s directive to add more and more. However, halacha requires that one must still be able to see the stars through the covering. To satisfy both traditions, a hole may be made in the thick layer of s'chach so that stars are visible.
Sukkah decorations are not used in Chabad tradition—neither under the s'chach nor on the walls. Instead, beauty comes from making the sukkah itself as attractive as possible through its simplicity and quality materials.
3. Practical Issues: Covers, Floors, and Grass
Covers are sometimes placed over the s'chach when not using the sukkah (e.g., due to rain). On Shabbos or Yom Tov, one must avoid creating an ohel arai—a temporary tent-like covering—which is prohibited unless at least one handbreadth (tefach) of cover was already spread out before Yom Tov or Shabbos began. When rolling or unrolling covers on Yom Tov or Shabbos, ensure that this minimum area remains covered so you are only adding onto an existing cover rather than creating a new one.
The ground beneath a sukkah does not require a special floor; bare earth or grass suffices. However, if your sukkah stands on grass, be aware that spilling water (such as during meals or washing hands) may inadvertently water the grass—a prohibited activity on Shabbos and Yom Tov if it’s inevitable (psik reisha). The Alter Rebbe rules stringently here: if spillage is likely unavoidable during meals in such a sukkah, it’s best not to eat there unless you put down some protective flooring so liquids do not reach the grass.
4. The Four Species: Selection and Customs
The four species consist of: lulav (from date palm), esrog (citron), hadasim (myrtle branches), and aravos (willow branches). Each has specific requirements for kashrus and beauty (hiddur mitzvah). The esrog should ideally be yellow but may have some green if it’s otherwise clean and beautiful; completely green esrogim are invalid.
The Chabad tradition prefers esrogim grown specifically in Calabria (Italy), based on ancient sources linking these fruits with those used by Jews since desert times. Even though saplings from Calabria are now planted elsewhere (such as Israel), there remains special value in using an esrog actually grown in Calabria itself.
Lulavim should be straight—not bent right or left or forward/backward—and not too thin. The spine should run exactly down the center with leaves evenly distributed on both sides. Chabad custom avoids lulavim with “kneplach”—bent-over tips at their ends—even though some authorities consider this an advantage.
Myrtle branches (hadasim) must have three leaves emerging from each point along most of their length. Willows (aravos) have their own requirements but are generally considered less significant among the four species.
5. Handling and Use of Four Species During Sukkos
The four species are designated solely for performing their mitzvah during Sukkos and should not be used for personal enjoyment such as smelling them during Yom Tov. After Yom Tov they may be repurposed respectfully—e.g., making jam from esrogim or using lulav leaves when baking matzah for another mitzvah purpose.
Tying together the lulav set follows specific customs: while many use woven holders (koishelach) made from lulav leaves for binding hadasim and aravos onto the lulav, Chabad custom ties them directly onto the lulav using rings made only from strips of lulav itself (min b'mino eino chotzetz—a tie made from its own kind does not constitute an interruption).
Each set consists of one lulav, one esrog, at least three hadasim and two aravos. Chabad custom is specifically to add hadasim beyond the basic three. The published Chabad minhag records this as an old Chassidic custom, noting that kol hamarbeh harei zeh meshubach—“whoever adds is praiseworthy”—and the Rebbe encouraged adding at least another three. The three principal hadasim are placed right, left and middle around the lulav spine.
6. Binding Procedure for Lulav Set (Chabad Custom)
Tying should ideally take place Erev Yom Tov inside your sukkah, by your own hand, in preparation for fulfilling both mitzvos together during Sukkos itself. It’s always preferable to perform mitzvos yourself rather than delegate them (mitzvah bo yoser mibeshlucho). Prepare five rings made from strips of lulav leaf before starting: two will go higher up on just the lulav itself (ideally covered by hadasim/aravos), while three will bind all three types together within one tefach near their bases.
The arrangement: Place hadasim right/left/middle (with middle slightly tilted right); the two aravos go between the hadasim, so the order is myrtle-willow-myrtle-willow-myrtle. All stems should end at same level at bottom so none protrude below others. Aravos are positioned so they do not stand out visually since they represent those without taste or smell among Klal Yisroel but remain essential members nonetheless.
7. Ownership Issues: Lending vs Gifting Sets & Children’s Use
The Torah requires that each person’s four species be “yours.” If someone else uses your set for their bracha/mitzvah performance, you must give it as a conditional gift (matanah al menas lehachzir) so they fully acquire ownership while performing their mitzvah before returning it afterward as another gift back to you.
This system works well among adults but presents complications with children under bar mitzvah age because minors cannot legally transfer ownership back once they receive something as a gift—they can only acquire but cannot give back legally binding gifts/contracts even verbally. Therefore, when lending sets to minors under bar mitzvah age for educational purposes (chinuch) we do not give them full ownership but allow them only temporary use (“lending”) so adults retain ownership for subsequent days’ use themselves.
This underscores why children age six and above should ideally have their own kosher sets suitable for chinuch purposes even if they need not be especially beautiful until bar mitzvah age when hiddur becomes more important.
8. Candle Lighting Customs on Erev Sukkos
A longstanding campaign encourages girls from age three onward to light Shabbos/Yom Tov candles themselves beginning preferably on Yom Tov so that their first lighting coincides with reciting Shehecheyanu over both Yom Tov and this new mitzvah experience together.
Candles should ideally be lit inside the sukkah unless safety concerns dictate otherwise. If space does not permit leaving all candles inside during meals, candles may be moved provided they serve some purpose while being moved.
Candle lighting times follow local calendars—18 minutes before sunset by Chabad custom—and a woman lighting recites L'hadlik ner shel yom tov—to kindle yom tov lights—and Shehecheyanu. Her Shehecheyanu is for the Yom Tov alone, since women are exempt from sukkah. A man who lights says only the first blessing and saves Shehecheyanu for Kiddush in the sukkah, where it covers both the Yom Tov and the sukkah. If he did say it at the lighting, it depends where he lit: in the sukkah it covers both, and he omits it at Kiddush; outside the sukkah it covered only the Yom Tov, and he says it again at Kiddush.