Poskim Rule Not to Use Deri Lulavim

The senior poskim, Rav Shmuel Halevi Wosner, baal Shevet Halevi, and Rav Nissim Karelitz, have ruled that people should refrain from purchasing the well-known Deri lulavim for use this coming Sukkos. In past years, the Deri lulavim have been greatly sought after because of their beauty and hiddur. These lulavim are grown in Eretz Yisroel and, therefore, a question had been posed to the gedolei haposkim in light of the fact that during this Shmittah year, agricultural work was done with them, thereby prohibiting them for use. The owners of the palm orchards where the Deri lulavim were grown relied on the questionable “heter mechirah” to permit the work.

The senior poskim in Eretz Yisroel have therefore encouraged Yidden to purchase other lulavim even if they are less mehudardik.