As part of its ongoing efforts, Agudath Israel of America’s Washington Office has collaborated with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to ensure a smooth travel experience for Jewish travelers carrying arba minim, the four species used during the Sukkos holiday. Both the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have issued specific guidelines to their personnel to help facilitate the religious needs of Jewish travelers.
These guidelines clarify that the arba minim—consisting of the lulav (palm branch), etrog (citron), hadassim (myrtle), and aravot (willow)—are not considered prohibited items by TSA and can be brought through security checkpoints and carried on aircraft. TSA has outlined special accommodations for travelers who may need additional assistance at security screenings, ensuring that the items are treated with care and respect.
CBP has also issued a notice for travelers entering the U.S. with arba minim from foreign countries, specifying inspection procedures at select ports of entry. The agency emphasized its commitment to treating all travelers with dignity, especially those observing religious practices during Sukkos. Additionally, travelers entering Israel should note that while they are allowed to bring one etrog for personal use, the other three species will be confiscated and replaced with Israeli-grown produce, in line with local regulations.
Rabbi Abba Cohen, Agudath Israel’s Vice President for Government Affairs, praised the federal agencies for their continued sensitivity to the religious concerns of the Jewish community, ensuring that these ritual items are handled properly. Agudath Israel has also produced a handy one-page guide for travelers to familiarize themselves with the rules, which can be printed or saved to phones for easy reference.
This coordinated effort helps to prevent confusion or mishandling of the arba minim, a recurring issue in the past, and reflects Agudath Israel’s commitment to safeguarding religious observance during travel.
