Q&A: Beautification of the Four Species
Beautification of the Four Species
Question
Hello Rabbi
How does the obligation to beautify a commandment work in practice? There are different prices and many sellers. Among other things, does this mean it’s forbidden to take the cheapest one?
Answer
Beautifying a commandment applies up to one-third above the minimum price of a kosher set.
Discussion on Answer
Oy. So it’s forbidden to buy the cheapest one?
And if so, is it enough if part of the set is beautified, or does this apply to each and every species?
For years I’ve been buying the cheapest set I can find, because the whole thing personally felt to me like social pressure without the slightest connection to the commandment of waving the plants. Right now I have a minimal set. Do I need to upgrade one of them or all of them?
It’s not forbidden. You fulfill your obligation. But you have not fulfilled the commandment of beautification. For each species.
And yes, there is an obligation to beautify it.