These notes are intended solely to aid in the learning process and should not be considered authoritative halachic conclusions
Please do not rely on these notes l’maaseh
וChelek 6
- “Arvei nachal” is a specific species of willow that does not necessarily grow by a river. However, it must have the following three characteristics: (1) long, narrow leaves; (2) smooth leaf edges; (3) a red stem. Even if one siman is lacking, the arava is possula. (ShA – MB )
- A kasher arava can have a green stem since it will turn red after enough exposure to the sun. (MB )
- A kasher arava does not need perfectly smooth leaf edges. While they may not be serrated like a saw, small furrows along the edges are allowed. (ShA )
- An arava whose most leaves are either dry (no green left), hanging down, cracked, or split is possula. (ShA – MB , – ShaH 7)
- If most of its leaves have fallen off or the top of its stem is clipped off, the arava is possula. If the top of the top leaf is clipped, it remains kashera. (ShA – MB )
- Dried or clipped are possula because it lacks “haddar”. The Rambam holds that haddar does not disqualify after the first day. Thus a dried or clipped arava is kashera after the first day. (MB – ShaH 10)
- An arava that is wilted or missing some leaves is still kashera. Nevertheless, since aravos are easy to obtain, you should switch them for nicer ones. (ShA – MB )