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Summary

We learned (24.4) “If the tip of the lulav is broken off, it is possul”.

Rav Huna: This is only if it was broken off, but if the tip is split, it is kosher (although we are stringent nowadays with any minor split in the center twin leaves, most poskim consider it kosher unless it’s split down to the spine).

Challenge: But we learned in a beraisa: A bent lulav [at an acute angle], or one that is thorny (or shrunk), or split, or crooked [at an obtuse angle]; similar to a scythe, it is possul. If the lulav is like a branch, it is possul. If it is beginning to become hardened like a branch, it is kosher.

Rav Papa: A split lulav is possul when it is split like a Himnak (a pruning fork which has a “V” shape).

A crooked lulav similar to a scythe is possul:

Rava: If it’s bent backwards at an obtuse angle, it is kosher, that’s how it grows.

Rav Nachman: If it’s bent to the side, it’s as if it is bent frontwards. Some say, backwards (in practice we’re stringent).

Rava: A lulav which has leaves only on one side, is possul.