R. YEHUDAH ALLOWS SECHACH ONLY FROM THE FOUR MINIM
Question: We find that R. Yehudah allows Sechach from other than the four Minim (as he disputes the dimensions of Erez planks with R. Meir)!?
Answer: Erez is the Hadas (as taught by Rabah bar R. Huna that Hadas is one of 10 types of Erez).
R. MEIR ALLOWS THE MINIM TO BE BOUND WITH ANY STRING
R. Meir cites the fact that upper classes of Yerushalayim would use gold strings, and he was told, in response, that (like R. Yehudah) they would tie with one of the Minim underneath.
Rabah told those who were binding Lulavim to allow space for a hand so that the binding not be a Chatzitzah.
(Rava): Anything made to adorn the Lulav is not a Chatzitzah.
CHATZITZAH AND TAKING THE LULAV
(Rabah): It is not permitted to drape one's hand with a cloth upon taking the Lulav (not a proper Lekicha).
(Rava): Indirect Lekicha is a proper Lekicha.
Question: What is Rava's source?
Answer: From the Mishnah which allows an extension stick to be used to lower the Eizov into the Mei Chatas for sprinkling (which requires Lekicha).
Question: Maybe the attached stick is viewed as the Eizov itself, unlike the cloth around his hand?
Answer: Rava's source is the fact that the ashes of the Parah may be shaken from the tube into the water, even though it requires Lekicha.
(Rabah): One must not press the Lulav into the binding between the Hadas and Aravah lest one sever leaves resulting in a Chatzitzah.
(Rava): Min b'Mino is not Chotzetz.
(Rabah): One must not cut the bottom of the Lulav while it is already bound, lest the now-unattached leaves create a Chatzitzah.
(Rava): Min b'Mino is not Chotzetz.
SMELLING THE MINIM
(Rabah): It is not permitted to smell the Hadas, but it is permitted to smell the Esrog.
The Hadas is made for fragrance, and has been designated away from its ordinary purpose in order to fulfil the Mitzvah.
The Esrog is made for eating, and has not been restricted from being smelled.
(Rabah): An attached Hadas may be smelled, but not an attached Esrog, as explained (and see R. Chananel).
(Rabah): The Lulav is taken in the right (since more Mitzvos are attached to it) and the Esrog in the left.
Question: Why do we mention Lulav in the Berachah?
Answer: Because it is taller (above) the others.
Question: Then raise up the Esrog and mention it!?
Answer: We mean the Lulav is taller and more outstanding as a species.
MISHNAH: WAVING THE LULAV
Question: When do we wave the Lulav?
Answer (Beis Hillel): Twice at Hodu and at Ana Hash-m Hoshiyah Na.
Answer (Beis Shamai): Also at Ana Hash-m Hatzlichah Na.
(R. Akiva): I saw R. Gamliel and R. Yehoshua refrain from joining the others in waving at Hatzlichah Na.
THE WAVING
Question: Who mentioned waving such that we should jump in with the question of when it takes place!?
Answer: The first Mishnah in our Perek makes reference to waving when speaking of the required length of the Lulav, and our Mishnah picks up from there.
The Mishnah in Menachos describes waving the two loaves on the Kivsei Atzeres as the prototype of all waving.
(R. Yochanan): The four directions acknowledge He Who rules over the four directions, and the up and down acknowledges His Dominion over Heaven and Earth.
(R. Chama b. Ukva citing R. Yosi b'Rebbi Chanina): The six directions are prayers to block the Ruchos and Telalim.
This demonstrates that even the 'portions' of Mitzvos block misfortune (even if they do not block the Mitzvah).
R. Acha b. Yakov would wave and indicate that this should be a thorn in the Satan's eyes (who did not succeed in severing us from the yoke of Heaven).
It is not proper to do this, lest the Satan fight back.