Sunday
11 Tishrei, 5785
Today is known as “Beshem Hashem” or “G-tt’s nommen.”
Today we make a point to go early to shul.
Sukkos Preparations
Sukkah
Each family should do their best to build their own sukkah.
We place a large amount of sechach on the sukkah. The Rebbe once said that one can fulfill the obligation to see the stars through the sechach by inserting a pole into the sechach and then removing it, thus creating a hole through which the stars can be seen. However, do not place so much sechach that rain cannot enter the sukkah.
It is not our custom to hang noi sukkah.
See below, “Hosafos,” for additional halachos related to building a sukkah.
Arba minim
We are mehader to use an esrog from Calabria. Esrogim from Calabria are preferred over Calabria-breed esrogim from Eretz Yisroel.
The esrog should be yellow.
Do not take more than one esrog, one lulav, and two aravos. However, we do add to the number of hadassim. The Rebbe once mentioned that at least three additional hadassim should be used.
The hadassim and aravos must be a minimum of three tefachim high (9.5 in. or 24 cm.), and the spine of the lulav must be at least four tefachim high (12.6 in. or 32 cm.). (This shiur does not include the leaves that extend above the spine.) If the hadassim or aravos are higher than the above shiur, the spine of the lulav must extend at least one tefach (3.15 in. or 8 cm.) above them.
If possible, buy a kosher set of arba minim for each son from the age of six and older.
