Checking the Myrtle (Hadass) Branch, 1955

​This picture, taken from Adi Hirschbain’s collection housed in the National Library of Israel shows two ultra-orthodox Jews checking myrtle for their Four Species. What appears to be a vendor looks on.

In the photograph, the men are checking that there is a pattern of three leaves protruding from the same point in the branch. According to the Jewish ritual law, this three-leaf pattern must be repeated over at least half the length of the branch. Furthermore, each branch of the three (three myrtle branches are required) should be at least 29 cm long. Finally, the branch cannot be dried out.

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Discussion Questions

Observation

• What do you see in the photograph?
  Who are the people in the scene?
  What do you think that they are doing?
• When do you think the photograph was taken? Which year? What time of the year?

Reading Between the Lines

• The photograph shows people checking myrtle (hadass) branches.
  For what will the myrtle be used?
  When will it be used?
  For what is the group checking – what are the requirements?
• Why were myrtle and willow the chosen leaves for the Four Species?
• What are the requirements for the remainder of the Four Species?
  Why do you think that the Rabbis have decreed these to be the requirements?
• Does this practise still occur today?
  How do you know?
• Is this requirement only incumbent on the ultra-orthodox community?

Connections

• ​Have you or your family ever had your own "Four Species"? How did you get them? Do you know how much they cost in your community? Do you know how much they cost in relation to the "Four Species" in Israel? Can you explain the difference?
• What other kinds of Jews live in your community? How are they similar to you? How are they different to you?
• Does your family buy the Four Species for Sukkot? What do you look for when you buy them?
• What other special traditions do you have for Sukkot?

Creative Ideas

• Imagine a conversation between two of the three characters in the photograph.
  Write the conversation in your exercise book or draw it as a comic strip.

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