Q. We have always used fresh branches and flowers to decorate the shul and home during Shavuot. These days plastic flowers and branches are more attractive, stay looking fresh, they don’t need water containers and are more economic since the stay pleasing for many years. Can we change? Do we have to be be Mattir Nedder (absolve promises) if we do?

A. Although some of our Rabbis maintained that one can change for the better, Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a opines that there are specific reasons why we use the natural perishable life plants, as mentioned in Mishna Berura (494: 10) Midrashim, and other Poskim.

Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that since as is they are only a symbolic remembrance and not a mitzva in itself, as a Lulav or similar would be, they are permitted, and no Hatoras Nedorim is required.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a