cost of a lulav and esrog off shoot

Mitzvahmom

Mon, Sep 24 2007, 6:35 pm

I am putting this here because this is slightly a vent..

I have two aunts that are trying to become frum.. For some reason they think that if they spend more than they have on a lulav and esrog that it's a segula for something?? Has anyone heard of this??

Thing is, that they really just make enough to pay rent...etc, then complain that they have no money to everyone.

Then my entire family calls me, and says what is going on why are they giving away their money. do you give away your money?? thing is I know where to get lulav and esrog so that it's affordable. Am I missing something?

TammyTammy

Mon, Sep 24 2007, 6:41 pm

Mitzvahmom wrote:

While it is commendable that they want to become closer to HaShem, AFAIK, they are not *required* to shake a lulav/esrog because women are exempt from mitzvos ashe shehazeman grama (time-bound positive mitzvos).

Secondly, there is a limit as to how much of your wealth you are to spend on any particular mitzvah (20% IIRC) and beyond that, you are exempt. Again, it's nice that they might want to spend more than that, but I would think that living expenses such as rent/food/etc. should take a higher priority.

Thirdly, AFAIK, there is no segulah that spending more on a lulav/esrog is a segulah for anything. I could be wrong, of course, but I've not heard of any.

Lastly, perhaps it might be better if someone knowledgeable buys one for them and then they pay him back... this way they know that they're getting a nice esrog and lulav, and yet don't break the bank to do so.

Tammy