Menachot 27: Separating Parts From the Whole?

Some brief notes on today's daf:

• A Mishna teaches us that there are a number of rituals where many different parts are required to create a "whole"
• Sukkot includes ritual with the lulav, etrog, hadas, myrtle, and aravah, willow, (Vayikra 23:40) together
• Perhaps the Mishna's ruling about separating the 'parts' refers to a time when one does not have all four species; if one has them all, they need not be together
• Perhaps the Mishna's ruling refers to the ritual of picking up each item one by one
• Because this is a single mitzvah, Rabbeinu Tam suggests separating them is not possible
• Perhaps the items are taken together - but they are tied together
• Rabbis argue about whether or not tying is required

We know from our current practice of the mitzvah of lulav that the four species are bound together.  It is amazing that the traditions we reference today in ancient texts are the same traditions that we will practice in a few weeks.