The etrog, a type of citrus, resembles an elongated lemon. Besides its beautiful shape, the etrog has such a strong scent that even the tree’s trunk smells where the fruits grow. It’s important that the fruit is not round — such an etrog is not considered suitable.

The date palm also bears fruits, but they have no scent. From it, the lulav is taken — a young, not yet unfurled palm branch.

Myrtle, referred to as the “dense-leaved tree,” has a strong aroma but does not bear fruit. The willow, on the other hand, has neither fruit nor scent.

Jewish sages teach that each of these plants symbolizes a certain segment of the Jewish people. Some possess two virtues — both taste and aroma — and this is the etrog, which represents those who combine knowledge of the Torah and the performance of commandments.

There are those who have limited knowledge but zealously perform the commandments — they are like the lulav.

Others teach the Torah to others but do not themselves perform its commandments — they are symbolized by the myrtle.

And finally, there are Jews, similar to the willow: they neither study the Torah nor perform the commandments.

However, all of them must be bound together in a single bundle and complement each other. In Judaism, it is customary to bind these four types of plants together, not only to educate Jews based on the Torah and commandments but also to give them a sense of unity.