Q. Before Shavuos can one place plant and leaf decorations on the Aron Hakodesh?
Will they then have to be disposed as mitzva objects like the Hoshanos and Lulabim?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it depends on the original traditions and conditions when the Aron Hakodesh was built or dedicated.
On question 1882 and 3185 we wrote: "Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 664: 8 and 21:1 and Shaarei Tzion ibid. 20) warn on not stepping on leftover mitzvos as leafs of Hoshanos or threads of tzitzis. Therefore Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that leftover S'chach and Arba'as Haminim should not be thrown into the common garbage bin, since they were used for a mitzva. Rather they should be disposed in paper bags with the rest of leaves and branches that will end up being buried in land fills. They may also be double wrapped or bagged and then disposed off in the regular garbage."
However, Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that since decorating the shul with greenery is only a minhag and not a mitzva, the above restrictions do not apply."
The Rov added that the same would apply to the greenery decorations placed on the Aron Hakodesh, when permitted.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
Important Numbers
