For the source text click/tap here: Sukkah 37
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-Aside from the simple mitzva of picking up the daled minim (four species) on Sukkot, there is also a mitzva of ni'anu'ah - to wave or shake the lulav during prayers.
Rabbi Yohanan said: He moves them to and fro to dedicate them to He Whom the four directions are His. He raises and lowers them to He Whom the heavens and earth are His. In the West, Eretz Yisrael, they taught it as follows. Rabbi Hama bar Ukva said that Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Hanina, said: He moves them to and fro in order to request a halt to harmful winds,storms and tempests that come from all directions; he raises and lowers them in order to halt harmful dews and rains that come from above.
The Jerusalem Talmud suggests that waving the lulav is an act of defense – an attempt to ward off the prosecuting angel.
We examine the mitzva and various ta'amim for this most curious of Mitzvot that has kaablistic overtones and magical properties.