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 The aravah is not taken on Shabbos nowadays because we aren’t certain which day is the seventh. 

 Summary 

 Challenge: Let it be taken in Eretz Yisroel where they do know?

When Bar Hedya came from Eretz Yisroel: It never happens that the seventh day falls on Shabbos.

When Ravin and all those who came [from the yeshivos in Eretz Yisroel to convey information to the yeshivos in Bavel] came from Eretz Yisroel: It can happen, but the mitzvah is not done. 

The challenge thus stands. 

 Rav Yosef: Who says the mitzvah is to surround the mizbeach holding aravos? Perhaps the mitzvah is to surround the mizbeach with aravos [and since there is no mizbeach nowadays it is not possible to make a zecher to this mitzvah]. 

 Abayye to Rav Yosef: The mishna (34.1) lumps lulav and aravah together, so the mitzvos are probably done in the same manner. 

 Response: Not necessarily. 

 Abayye to Rav Yosef: “Every day the mizbeach is surrounded by the kohanim once. On the seventh day it is surrounded seven times”. It seems that a procession holding aravos in their hands would surround the mizbeach. 

 Response: No. They would hold lulavim. 

 Challenge: But Rav Nachman quoted Rabbah bar Avuha: It was with the aravah. 

 Rav Yosef: He says it was the aravah, but I’m telling you it was the lulav [I’m an amora too]. 

 We Learned: Rabbi Elazar: With the lulav. Rav Shmuel bar Nosson quoting Rabbi Chanina: With the aravah. And so taught Rav Nachman quoting Rabbah bar Avuha: With the aravah. 

 Rava to Rav Yitzchok son of Rabbah bar bar Chana: Ben Torah! Come and let me tell you of the wonderful things I heard from your father [Rabbah bar bar Chana]. He explained the mishna which says “Every day the mizbeach is surrounded by the kohanim once. On the seventh day it is surrounded seven times”. So your father quoted from Rabbi Elazar: With the lulav.