We get up early to shake the lulav, especially today.
If possible, do not eat or drink before shaking the lulav.
It is best to shake the lulav in the sukkah.
Lift the lulav with your right hand with its spine facing you, and say the berachah of Al Netilas Lulav. Next, lift the esrog with your left hand (making sure it is upright) and say the berachah of Shehecheyanu. As you finish the berachah, join the lulav and esrog together, tilting the esrog and joining its top third with the bottom of the lulav.
For additional halachos regarding shaking the lulav, see below, “Hosafos.”
Next, do the na’anuim. Face east, holding the lulav and esrog together. Keeping them in their upright position, move them toward the southeast corner (i.e., at a 45° angle to your right), shake them slightly, and bring them back until they touch your chest (the place where you strike when saying Ashamnu). Repeat this three times.
Do another three na’anuim in the manner described above toward the northeast corner (i.e., at a 45° angle to your left), due east (directly in front of you), above, below, and west, totaling eighteen na’anuim.
The lulav and esrog remain upright throughout the na’anuim, including when they are lowered below. Ensure the top of the lulav does not touch the roof/sechach (especially when lifting them above).
When lifting the lulav and esrog above, lower them slightly before bringing them back to your chest. Similarly, when lowering the lulav and esrog below, lift them slightly before bringing them back to your chest.
When moving the lulav and esrog west, for the first two times move them toward the southwest corner (i.e., at a 135° angle to your right), and for the third time move them due west (directly behind you).
Throughout the na’anuim, cover the esrog with your hand (if possible), revealing it slightly only for the last na’anua (in which the lulav and esrog are moved due west).
When doing the na’anuim, the Rebbe would stand with his feet together, as during Shemoneh Esrei.
