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  "title": "Lulav and Etrog (The Four Species)",
  "summary": "The lulav, hadasim, aravot, and etrog — the four species waved during Sukkot.",
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      "title": "Lulav and Etrog (The Four Species)",
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    "article": {
      "slug": "going-deeper-deeper-judaica-lulav-and-etrog-the-four-species",
      "title": "Lulav and Etrog (The Four Species)",
      "deck": "The lulav, hadasim, aravot, and etrog — the four species waved during Sukkot.",
      "summary": "Summary. The four species (arba’at haminim) are taken in hand during the Sukkot festival, fulfilling the commandment of Vayikra 23:40 to “take for yourselves the fruit of a beautiful tree, branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook.” The four are: etrog (citron), lulav (date palm frond), hadasim (myrtle branches), and aravot (willow branches). They are held together and waved in six directions (east, south, west, north, up, down) during Hallel and in the daily Hoshanot processions of Sukkot.",
      "level": "deeper",
      "sectionSlug": "going-deeper",
      "tags": [
        "sukkot",
        "four species",
        "lulav"
      ],
      "publishedAt": "2026-07-06T02:19:03.001Z",
      "wordCount": 653,
      "readMinutes": 3
    },
    "section": {
      "slug": "jewish-living",
      "title": "Jewish Living"
    },
    "image": null,
    "blocks": [
      {
        "type": "summary",
        "body": "Summary. The four species ([arba’at haminim](/glossary.json#letter-A)) are taken in hand during the [Sukkot](/glossary.json#letter-S) festival, fulfilling the commandment of [Vayikra 23:40](https://www.sefaria.org/Leviticus.23.40) to “take for yourselves the fruit of a beautiful tree, branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook.” The four are: [etrog](/glossary.json#letter-E) (citron), [lulav](/glossary.json#letter-L) (date palm frond), [hadasim](/glossary.json#letter-H) (myrtle branches), and [aravot](/glossary.json#letter-A) (willow branches). They are held together and waved in six directions (east, south, west, north, up, down) during [Hallel](/glossary.json#letter-H) and in the daily [Hoshanot](/glossary.json#letter-H) processions of Sukkot.",
        "text": "Summary. The four species (arba’at haminim) are taken in hand during the Sukkot festival, fulfilling the commandment of Vayikra 23:40 to “take for yourselves the fruit of a beautiful tree, branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook.” The four are: etrog (citron), lulav (date palm frond), hadasim (myrtle branches), and aravot (willow branches). They are held together and waved in six directions (east, south, west, north, up, down) during Hallel and in the daily Hoshanot processions of Sukkot."
      },
      {
        "type": "heading",
        "body": "What Each Is",
        "text": "What Each Is"
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "Etrog — Citron, a yellow citrus fruit native to the eastern Mediterranean. A [kosher](/glossary.json#letter-K) etrog has its [pitam](/glossary.json#letter-P) (the small protrusion at the top, where the flower was) intact; some varieties have the pitam break off cleanly during growth and are still kosher. The etrog should be free of blemishes, particularly in the upper third.",
        "text": "Etrog — Citron, a yellow citrus fruit native to the eastern Mediterranean. A kosher etrog has its pitam (the small protrusion at the top, where the flower was) intact; some varieties have the pitam break off cleanly during growth and are still kosher. The etrog should be free of blemishes, particularly in the upper third."
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "Lulav — Date palm frond, harvested closed (not yet fanned out). A kosher lulav has the central [tiomet](/glossary.json#letter-T) (twin top leaves) intact and the spine straight.",
        "text": "Lulav — Date palm frond, harvested closed (not yet fanned out). A kosher lulav has the central tiomet (twin top leaves) intact and the spine straight."
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "Hadasim — Myrtle branches; three are required, each with leaves growing in groups of three ([meshulash](/glossary.json#letter-M)) from each node.",
        "text": "Hadasim — Myrtle branches; three are required, each with leaves growing in groups of three (meshulash) from each node."
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "Aravot — Willow branches; two are required, with smooth-edged leaves and reddish stems (the Salix species).",
        "text": "Aravot — Willow branches; two are required, with smooth-edged leaves and reddish stems (the Salix species)."
      },
      {
        "type": "heading",
        "body": "How They Are Held",
        "text": "How They Are Held"
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "The lulav is held in the right hand (left for left-handed people) with the spine facing the person, bundled together with the three hadasim on the right side and the two aravot on the left, all tied together with two or three rings of palm leaves (most lulav sets come pre-tied). The etrog is held in the left hand (right for left-handers), with the pitam facing down for the initial blessing and then turned upright. The blessing is recited ([al netilat lulav](/glossary.json#letter-A) and, on the first day only, [shehecheyanu](/glossary.json#letter-S)), then the etrog is turned right-side up, the lulav and etrog are held together, and the waving ([na’anuim](/glossary.json#letter-N)) is performed.",
        "text": "The lulav is held in the right hand (left for left-handed people) with the spine facing the person, bundled together with the three hadasim on the right side and the two aravot on the left, all tied together with two or three rings of palm leaves (most lulav sets come pre-tied). The etrog is held in the left hand (right for left-handers), with the pitam facing down for the initial blessing and then turned upright. The blessing is recited (al netilat lulav and, on the first day only, shehecheyanu), then the etrog is turned right-side up, the lulav and etrog are held together, and the waving (na’anuim) is performed."
      },
      {
        "type": "heading",
        "body": "When Held",
        "text": "When Held"
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "During the morning services of Sukkot (every day except [Shabbat](/glossary.json#letter-S)), during Hallel, and during the Hoshanot processions around the [bimah](/glossary.json#letter-B). Not held on Shabbat (because of the prohibition on carrying) or on [Shemini Atzeret](/glossary.json#letter-S) / [Simchat Torah](/glossary.json#letter-S).",
        "text": "During the morning services of Sukkot (every day except Shabbat), during Hallel, and during the Hoshanot processions around the bimah. Not held on Shabbat (because of the prohibition on carrying) or on Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah."
      },
      {
        "type": "heading",
        "body": "Buying a Set",
        "text": "Buying a Set"
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "A complete set (lulav, hadasim, aravot, and etrog with case) costs $35–$200 depending on quality; particularly fine “[mehudar](/glossary.json#letter-M)” sets can be more. Buy from a reputable Judaica supplier or through your [shul](/glossary.json#letter-S). In Israel, the Geulah market in Jerusalem and the Bnei Brak market are the great pre-Sukkot bazaars. Inspect each set carefully or have a knowledgeable friend or rabbi inspect — small defects can invalidate the set.",
        "text": "A complete set (lulav, hadasim, aravot, and etrog with case) costs $35–$200 depending on quality; particularly fine “mehudar” sets can be more. Buy from a reputable Judaica supplier or through your shul. In Israel, the Geulah market in Jerusalem and the Bnei Brak market are the great pre-Sukkot bazaars. Inspect each set carefully or have a knowledgeable friend or rabbi inspect — small defects can invalidate the set."
      },
      {
        "type": "heading",
        "body": "Symbolism",
        "text": "Symbolism"
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "The [Midrash](/glossary.json#letter-M) ([Vayikra Rabbah 30:12](https://www.sefaria.org/Vayikra_Rabbah.30.12)) reads the four species as representing four types of Jews: the etrog (which has both taste and fragrance) represents Jews who have both [Torah](/glossary.json#letter-T) and good deeds; the lulav (the date palm, which has taste but no fragrance) represents Jews who have Torah but no good deeds; the hadasim (fragrance but no taste) represent Jews who have good deeds but no Torah; the aravot (neither taste nor fragrance) represent Jews who have neither. We bind them together because the Jewish people is one — all four types are required.",
        "text": "The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 30:12) reads the four species as representing four types of Jews: the etrog (which has both taste and fragrance) represents Jews who have both Torah and good deeds; the lulav (the date palm, which has taste but no fragrance) represents Jews who have Torah but no good deeds; the hadasim (fragrance but no taste) represent Jews who have good deeds but no Torah; the aravot (neither taste nor fragrance) represent Jews who have neither. We bind them together because the Jewish people is one — all four types are required."
      },
      {
        "type": "heading",
        "body": "Where Denominations Diverge",
        "text": "Where Denominations Diverge"
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "Practice is universal across denominations, though most actively observed in [Orthodox](/glossary.json#letter-O) communities. [Reform](/glossary.json#letter-R) and Conservative congregations often have a communal set used by congregants during services. [Renewal](/glossary.json#letter-R) and feminist traditions have developed [kavvanot](/glossary.json#letter-K) for the waving of the four species. [Sephardic](/glossary.json#letter-S) and [Ashkenazi](/glossary.json#letter-A) practice are essentially identical; minor differences in the waving sequence.",
        "text": "Practice is universal across denominations, though most actively observed in Orthodox communities. Reform and Conservative congregations often have a communal set used by congregants during services. Renewal and feminist traditions have developed kavvanot for the waving of the four species. Sephardic and Ashkenazi practice are essentially identical; minor differences in the waving sequence."
      },
      {
        "type": "heading",
        "body": "Sources",
        "text": "Sources"
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "Torah: [Vayikra](/glossary.json#letter-V) 23:40.",
        "text": "Torah: Vayikra 23:40."
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "[Mishnah Sukkah 3](https://www.sefaria.org/Mishnah_Sukkah.3).",
        "text": "Mishnah Sukkah 3."
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "[Talmud](/glossary.json#letter-T) Bavli, [Sukkah 29b–37b](https://www.sefaria.org/Sukkah.29b-37b).",
        "text": "Talmud Bavli, Sukkah 29b–37b."
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "[Rambam](/glossary.json#letter-R), [Mishneh Torah](/glossary.json#letter-M), [Hilchot Lulav](https://www.sefaria.org/Mishneh_Torah,_Shofar,_Sukkah_and_Lulav).",
        "text": "Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Lulav."
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "[Shulchan Aruch](/glossary.json#letter-S), [Orach Chaim 645–658](https://www.sefaria.org/Shulchan_Arukh,_Orach_Chayim.645-658).",
        "text": "Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 645–658."
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "[The Laws of the Arba Minim, Four Species](https://www.ou.org/holidays/the_lulav_and_etrog/) — OU.",
        "text": "The Laws of the Arba Minim, Four Species — OU."
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "[13 Facts About the Four Species (Lulav and Etrog) Every Jew Should Know](https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/6092635/jewish/13-Facts-About-the-Four-Species-Lulav-and-Etrog-Every-Jew-Should-Know.htm) — Chabad.org.",
        "text": "13 Facts About the Four Species (Lulav and Etrog) Every Jew Should Know — Chabad.org."
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "[The Lulav and Etrog: The Four Kinds](https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/609564/jewish/The-Lulav-and-Etrog-The-Four-Kinds.htm) — Chabad.org.",
        "text": "The Lulav and Etrog: The Four Kinds — Chabad.org."
      },
      {
        "type": "heading",
        "body": "Further Reading",
        "text": "Further Reading"
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "[Yitz Greenberg](/glossary.json#letter-R), The Jewish Way — Sukkot chapter.",
        "text": "Yitz Greenberg, The Jewish Way — Sukkot chapter."
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "The Sukkot chapter of Eliyahu Kitov, The Book of Our Heritage.",
        "text": "The Sukkot chapter of Eliyahu Kitov, The Book of Our Heritage."
      }
    ],
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        "title": "Why Did God Create the World?",
        "href": "/articles/going-deeper-deeper-questions-why-did-god-create-the-world.json"
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    "goDeeper": [],
    "glossary": {
      "ashkenazi": {
        "term": "Ashkenazi",
        "hebrew": "אשכנזי",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "Describing Jews whose families trace to Central and Eastern Europe, and the customs, liturgy, and Hebrew pronunciation of those communities. The broad counterpart terms are Sephardi and Edot HaMizrach.",
        "moreSlug": null
      },
      "hallel": {
        "term": "Hallel",
        "hebrew": "הַלֵּל",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "The sequence of praise Psalms (113–118) sung on festivals, on Rosh Chodesh, and throughout Hanukkah.",
        "moreSlug": null
      },
      "hoshanot": {
        "term": "Hoshanot",
        "hebrew": "הוֹשַׁעְנוֹת",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "The processional prayers of Sukkot — hoshana means \"save, please\" — recited while circling the synagogue with the four species in hand.",
        "moreSlug": null
      },
      "midrash": {
        "term": "Midrash",
        "hebrew": "מִדְרָשׁ",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "Literally 'inquiry' — the rabbinic genre of creative biblical interpretation, filling gaps in the text, drawing out moral lessons, and reading Scripture in surprising directions.",
        "moreSlug": "going-deeper-deeper-facts-midrash"
      },
      "mishneh-torah": {
        "term": "Mishneh Torah",
        "hebrew": "מִשְׁנֵה תּוֹרָה",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "The Rambam's monumental 12th-century code of Jewish law — the first work to organize the whole of Halacha systematically, from prayer to Temple service.",
        "moreSlug": null
      },
      "orthodox-judaism": {
        "term": "Orthodox Judaism",
        "hebrew": null,
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "Orthodox Judaism holds Halacha as fully binding and the Shulchan Aruch as its canonical code; it spans Haredi and Hasidic communities as well as Modern Orthodoxy, and is the starting point from which this Field Guide is written, even as it engages seriously with other denominations.",
        "moreSlug": "how-to-use-this-field-guide"
      },
      "yitz-greenberg": {
        "term": "Rabbi Yitz Greenberg",
        "hebrew": null,
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "Rabbi Irving 'Yitz' Greenberg (b. 1933), a Modern Orthodox rabbi and Holocaust theologian known for the principle that no Jewish theological statement should be made that would not be credible in the presence of burning children; author of The Jewish Way.",
        "moreSlug": "holidays-modern-observances-yom-hashoah"
      },
      "rambam": {
        "term": "Rambam",
        "hebrew": "רמב״ם",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (1138–1204), known by the acronym Rambam and in the Latin West as Maimonides, was the towering rationalist codifier and philosopher of medieval Judaism — author of the legal code Mishneh Torah and the philosophical Guide for the Perplexed. His formulation of God's unity and incorporeality remains foundational to Jewish theology across denominations.",
        "moreSlug": "essentials-essential-questions-what-does-judaism-teach-about-god"
      },
      "reform-judaism": {
        "term": "Reform Judaism",
        "hebrew": null,
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "Reform Judaism treats Halacha as a source of values and meaning rather than binding law, emphasizing individual autonomy, ethical monotheism, and tikkun olam; it was the first movement to fully recognize patrilineal descent and ordain women as rabbis.",
        "moreSlug": "how-to-use-this-field-guide"
      },
      "renewal-judaism": {
        "term": "Renewal Judaism",
        "hebrew": null,
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "Jewish Renewal is a small but influential movement drawing deeply on Hasidism and Kabbalah, combined with feminist and ecological commitments and an experimental, often neo-Hasidic approach to prayer and spirituality.",
        "moreSlug": "how-to-use-this-field-guide"
      },
      "sephardi": {
        "term": "Sephardi",
        "hebrew": "סְפָרַדִּי",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "A Jew whose family traces to medieval Spain and Portugal — and, in common usage, to the broader communities of the Mediterranean and Middle East that follow Sephardic law and liturgy. The plural is Sephardim.",
        "moreSlug": null
      },
      "shabbat": {
        "term": "Shabbat",
        "hebrew": "שַׁבָּת",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "The seventh day — the weekly day of rest from Friday sunset to Saturday nightfall, marked by candle lighting, kiddush, festive meals, and rest from creative work.",
        "moreSlug": "where-to-start-your-first-shabbat"
      },
      "shemini-atzeret": {
        "term": "Shemini Atzeret",
        "hebrew": "שְׁמִינִי עֲצֶרֶת",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "The 'eighth day of assembly' — the festival immediately following Sukkot, when the prayer for rain begins; in Israel it coincides with Simchat Torah.",
        "moreSlug": "holidays-yom-tov-shemini-atzeret-and-simchat-torah"
      },
      "shulchan-aruch": {
        "term": "Shulchan Aruch",
        "hebrew": "שולחן ערוך",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "Literally 'the set table' — the authoritative 16th-century code of Jewish law by Rabbi Yosef Karo, printed with the Ashkenazi glosses of Rabbi Moshe Isserles. It remains the baseline reference for halachic practice.",
        "moreSlug": null
      },
      "simchat-torah": {
        "term": "Simchat Torah",
        "hebrew": "שמחת תורה",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "'The joy of the Torah' — the festival on which the annual Torah-reading cycle is completed and immediately begun again, celebrated with seven circuits of dancing with the scrolls.",
        "moreSlug": "holidays-yom-tov-shemini-atzeret-and-simchat-torah"
      },
      "sukkot": {
        "term": "Sukkot",
        "hebrew": "סוכות",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "The autumn Festival of Booths, one of the three pilgrimage festivals — seven days of dwelling in the sukkah and waving the four species, in 'the season of our joy.'",
        "moreSlug": "holidays-shalosh-regalim-sukkot"
      },
      "talmud": {
        "term": "Talmud",
        "hebrew": "תלמוד",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "The vast rabbinic work — the Mishnah together with the Gemara's discussion of it — that develops the Oral Torah into Jewish law and thought. It is the central text of Jewish study after the Bible itself.",
        "moreSlug": "essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-article"
      },
      "torah": {
        "term": "Torah",
        "hebrew": "תּוֹרָה",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "The Five Books of Moses — the scroll at the center of Jewish life — and, more broadly, the whole of Jewish teaching. 'Learning Torah' can mean anything from Chumash to Talmud.",
        "moreSlug": null
      },
      "vayikra": {
        "term": "Vayikra",
        "hebrew": "ויקרא",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "The Book of Leviticus, third of the Five Books of the Torah, named for its opening word, 'And He called'; its concerns are the sanctuary, the offerings, and holiness.",
        "moreSlug": null
      },
      "al-netilat-lulav": {
        "term": "al netilat lulav",
        "hebrew": "עַל נְטִילַת לוּלָב",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "The blessing recited before taking up the lulav and the rest of the four species on Sukkot — '…who has commanded us concerning the taking of the lulav.'",
        "moreSlug": "going-deeper-deeper-judaica-lulav-and-etrog-the-four-species"
      },
      "aravot": {
        "term": "aravot",
        "hebrew": "עֲרָבוֹת",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "Willow branches — two of which are bound together with the lulav as part of the four species taken on Sukkot.",
        "moreSlug": "going-deeper-deeper-judaica-lulav-and-etrog-the-four-species"
      },
      "arbaat-haminim": {
        "term": "arba'at haminim",
        "hebrew": "אַרְבַּעַת הַמִּינִים",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "'The four species' — the etrog (citron), lulav (palm frond), hadasim (myrtles), and aravot (willows) held together and waved during Sukkot, following Vayikra 23:40.",
        "moreSlug": "going-deeper-deeper-judaica-lulav-and-etrog-the-four-species"
      },
      "bimah": {
        "term": "bimah",
        "hebrew": "בִּימָה",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "The raised platform in the synagogue from which the Torah is read and, in many congregations, the service is led.",
        "moreSlug": null
      },
      "etrog": {
        "term": "etrog",
        "hebrew": "אֶתְרוֹג",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "The citron — the fragrant yellow fruit held together with the lulav as one of the four species of Sukkot. A fine etrog is chosen with the care of a jeweler.",
        "moreSlug": "going-deeper-deeper-judaica-lulav-and-etrog-the-four-species"
      },
      "hadasim": {
        "term": "hadasim",
        "hebrew": "הֲדַסִּים",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "The myrtle branches — three of them — bound together with the lulav as part of the four species taken on Sukkot.",
        "moreSlug": "going-deeper-deeper-judaica-lulav-and-etrog-the-four-species"
      },
      "kavanah": {
        "term": "kavanah",
        "hebrew": "כַּוָּנָה",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "Intention or inner focus — praying or performing a mitzvah with the heart engaged rather than by rote; in Kabbalah, kavvanot are specific meditative intentions attached to the prayers.",
        "moreSlug": null
      },
      "kosher": {
        "term": "kosher",
        "hebrew": "כָּשֵׁר",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "Fit or proper according to Jewish law — said mostly of food, but equally of a Torah scroll, a sukkah, or anything else that meets halachic requirements.",
        "moreSlug": "essentials-essential-facts-kashrut-the-basics"
      },
      "lulav": {
        "term": "lulav",
        "hebrew": "לוּלָב",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "The date-palm frond — tallest of the four species — bound with myrtle and willow and waved together with the etrog on Sukkot; the whole bundle takes its name.",
        "moreSlug": "going-deeper-deeper-judaica-lulav-and-etrog-the-four-species"
      },
      "mehudar": {
        "term": "mehudar",
        "hebrew": "מְהֻדָּר",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "Especially beautiful or exacting — said of a mitzvah object, like an etrog or a pair of tefillin, of the finest halachic quality.",
        "moreSlug": null
      },
      "meshulash": {
        "term": "meshulash",
        "hebrew": "מְשֻׁלָּשׁ",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "Literally 'threefold.' It describes a kosher hadas (myrtle branch) whose leaves grow in even clusters of three along the stem — the quality looked for when choosing the four species for Sukkot.",
        "moreSlug": null
      },
      "naanuim": {
        "term": "na'anuim",
        "hebrew": "נַעֲנוּעִים",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "The wavings of the lulav and etrog in six directions during Sukkot, expressing that God's presence fills all of space.",
        "moreSlug": null
      },
      "pitam": {
        "term": "pitam",
        "hebrew": "פִּטָּם",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "The small woody protrusion at the blossom end of an etrog; on varieties that grow one, its wholeness is prized when selecting a fruit for Sukkot.",
        "moreSlug": null
      },
      "shehecheyanu": {
        "term": "shehecheyanu",
        "hebrew": "שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "The blessing 'who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season,' said at festivals, first fruits of the season, and joyful new beginnings.",
        "moreSlug": null
      },
      "shul": {
        "term": "shul",
        "hebrew": "שול",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "The Yiddish word for synagogue, used warmly across the Jewish world for the house of prayer, study, and community.",
        "moreSlug": "community-finding-a-shul"
      },
      "tiyomet": {
        "term": "tiyomet",
        "hebrew": "תיומת",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "The central 'twin' leaf at the tip of a lulav; halacha prefers it whole and unsplit for the lulav to be fit for use.",
        "moreSlug": null
      }
    }
  },
  "links": [
    {
      "rel": "parent",
      "title": "Jewish Living",
      "href": "/sections/jewish-living.json"
    },
    {
      "rel": "related",
      "title": "Why Did God Create the World?",
      "href": "/articles/going-deeper-deeper-questions-why-did-god-create-the-world.json"
    },
    {
      "rel": "related",
      "title": "What Is Mussar?",
      "href": "/articles/going-deeper-deeper-questions-what-is-mussar.json"
    },
    {
      "rel": "related",
      "title": "Hasidism vs. Mitnagdism",
      "href": "/articles/going-deeper-deeper-questions-hasidism-vs-mitnagdism.json"
    },
    {
      "rel": "related",
      "title": "What Is Kabbalah?",
      "href": "/articles/going-deeper-deeper-questions-what-is-kabbalah.json"
    }
  ]
}
