Hadass facts for kids
Hadass (which is Hebrew for הדס) is a special branch from the myrtle tree. It's an important part of a bundle called the lulav, which Jewish people use during the holiday of Sukkot.
What is Hadass?
The hadass is a branch from the myrtle tree. It's known for its beautiful, shiny leaves. These leaves grow in groups of three, all around the stem. This unique way of growing makes it special for the holiday of Sukkot.
Hadass and Sukkot
The hadass is one of the Four species (called arba'ah minim in Hebrew). These four items are used together during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. Sukkot is a harvest festival where people remember how their ancestors lived in temporary shelters in the desert.
The other three species are:
- The lulav (a frond from a palm tree)
- The aravah (a branch from a willow tree)
- The etrog (a special fruit that looks like a citron)
The Four Species Ceremony
During Sukkot, three hadassim branches are tied together with the lulav and aravah branches. This bundle is then held along with the etrog fruit.
People wave these four species in all directions:
- To the front
- To the back
- To the right
- To the left
- Upwards
- Downwards
This waving shows that God is in charge of everything, everywhere. It's also a prayer asking for enough rain for all the plants on Earth in the coming year.
Choosing a Hadass
According to Jewish law, called Halakha, the best hadass branch is one where the leaves grow perfectly in sets of three. This means each group of three leaves should be at the same level around the stem. This makes the hadass look very neat and beautiful.
