Yechiel Michel Epstein

“ Section 8 In terms of settled law, our teacher the Beis Yosef only mentions the position of the Rif and Rambam. The Rema comments on this as follows:
"There are commentators who say that if the middle top leaf is split all the way down to the spine it is also called 'a separated twin', and is invalid. This is our custom. However, the preferred practice is to take a Lulav whose middle leaf is not split at all, since there are those who are stringent with even a small separation. If the middle leaf grew as a single leaf without a twin the Lulav is invalid." ”

“ Section 14 When the majority of a Lulav’s leaves have dried out it is invalid, for it is not longer 'beautiful'. The same applies if the spine dried out, even if the leaves did not. This situation is not often found however, as the leaves will always dry out before the spine (Beis Yosef) . How does one measure drying out? When the appearance of green has left and its front turns white. ”

“ If they remain on the tree for an extended period they harden and become solid wood. This is the process of a Lulav's growth.
Section 2 The Sages have taught in the Mishna in the beginning of chapter 'Lulav Hagozul' (Gemara Sukkah, 29.2) : "If its leaves have spread - it is kosher. If they are separated, it is invalid."
Rashi explains that 'spread' means that they are connected to the spine but are spread out towards their tops to one side and the other as are the branches of a tree, and are kosher [valid for use] even if they are not touching at the top. ”

“ The verse is also expounded in this fashion by the Talmud.
What then, exactly, is the Lulav? In the growth of a date-palm tree the Lulav are the branches that begin to exit the date-palm trunk when they are one shaft of wood, like an arrow. After this phase they begin to open a bit and the leaves begin to separate, though they are still attached to each other. As they continue to grow they become softer [IS THIS CORRECT?] , though are still attached to each other. After a length of time on the tree they begin to separate from each other, and become like tree branches, distant from one another. ”

“ If the top of each leaf does not reach the base of the one above, or there are not many leaves that rest one upon the other as it grew instead with one long frond on each side that started near the base and ran to the top of the spine - these Lulavs are invalid, as they are not termed 'beautiful'. ”

“ The Tosfos take hold of the position of the Gaonim, while the Rosh writes that his intent is as the Rif, and so it seems (see there) . The Aruch, in his definition for 'Twin' (Heb. Ti'im) , writes in line with the Rif's position, though afterwards he quoes Rav Hai Gaon as follows: "The twin we are speaking of has two senses in definition: a) Two connected in their growth, and b) One that is two halves, separate on the top and just slightly connected on the bottom." ”

“ Section 10 Truly, the Rema’s entire ruling surprises me: The Rif, Rambam, Ra'vaad, BeHag, and the Gaonim do not consider the separation of the single middle leaf to be an invalidating factor, the explanation of Rashi in Gemara Sukkah does not recognize an invalidation if the spine has not separated, and even the explanation of Rashi in Gemara Baba Kama supports that position. ”