Parshas Bereishis (Machar Chodesh) 5787
Halachos and Minhagim of the Yamim Noraim (5)
Disposing of Sukkos Mitzvah Items. After the Yom Tov of Sukkos, a number of items used over the holiday that are not worth saving must be disposed of according to halacha. The Gemara (1) states that "תשמישי קדושה" such as Tefillin (and their straps) which contain Hashem’s Name cannot be thrown in the trash. However, "תשמישי מצוה" such as a Shofar or Esrog can be thrown away. They may be placed in the trash only in an honorable manner (2); not in a way that is “shameful” for the mitzvah. They may be used for mundane purposes if it will not be considered shaming the mitzvah. This is all referring to a mitzvah item that is not set aside for ongoing or future mitzvah use, such as an Esrog after Sukkos or a worn-out Talis. Items that have been used at least once and will be reused again for a mitzvah should not be used for mundane usage.
Arba Minim. The four minim used on Sukkos may be placed into a plastic bag and put out to the garbage. Some people are machmir and store them away to use for another mitzvah, such as burning the chametz before Pesach (3), or using the Hadassim for besamim (spices) for havdalah(4).
Segulos. There are sources who say that saving certain items are a segulah for shemira (protection). The Chida (5) writes that from the Yerushalmi it seems that people used to keep their Lulavim all year in their homes. He adds that he saw great chachamim who kept all four minim in their homes for a whole year as a shemira for the house. Many seforim bring a custom to make Esrog jelly and feed it to a pregnant lady as a segulah for an easy childbirth (this might be connected to a Gemara in Kesubos 61a that eating an Esrog is good for the fetus), or to anybody on Tu B’shvat.
Hoshanos. The leftover Aravos (Hoshanos) that are banged on Hoshana Raba have the same din as the Arba Minim above. Many save them for the burning of Chametz. Some people carry around a leaf, or part of a leaf, in their wallet or pocket, as a shemira. They wrap it in plastic so it shouldn’t dry and crumble.
Sukkah Decorations. Decorations without posukim on them can be wrapped in a plastic bag and thrown away into the trash (6).
(1) מגילה כו: (2) או"ח כא:א (3) מ"ב כא:ח (4) פסקי תשובות תרסד -כז (5) בס' ככר לאדן הביא ירושלמי שבת פרק ב' (6) שם דף ר"ע