Prominent Rabbi Urges Preference for Israeli-Grown Etrogs Over Moroccan Imports

Rabbi Yaakov Ariel, a leading figure in the Religious Zionist movement, is calling on the public to choose etrogs grown in Israel over those imported from Morocco, even if the imported fruit appears more aesthetically pleasing. Rabbi Ariel emphasized that the place of origin is a significant factor in the "hidur" or beauty and perfection of the etrog for the Sukkot mitzvah.

In a conversation with Rabbi Yitzchak Dvir, Rabbi Ariel questioned the necessity of importing etrogs when perfectly suitable ones are available domestically. "Why do we need Morocco? Why?" he asked, posing a hypothetical scenario where one etrog is more beautiful but from Morocco, while another is less so but from Israel. He asserted that the place of cultivation should be considered when selecting an etrog for the "arba minim" (four species) ritual, rather than focusing solely on external appearance.

Rabbi Ariel extended his argument beyond the etrog itself, linking the entire Sukkot holiday to the Land of Israel. He stated that the "arba minim" represent the praise and connection to the Land of Israel, and that the holiday's essence is deeply rooted there. He warned against a situation where the pursuit of external beauty for the four species overshadows the holiday's connection to the Land of Israel, thereby diminishing its spiritual core.

These remarks follow a recent letter published by the "Torat Ha'aretz HaTova" rabbinical association, co-headed by Rabbi Ariel, Rabbi Isser Klonsky, and Rabbi David Chai Cohen. The letter urged the public to prefer four species grown in Israel, citing the increasing import of foreign etrogs, often claimed to be more beautiful and cheaper. The rabbis argued that etrogs from Israel possess a greater sanctity, drawing from the Land of Israel's unique spiritual connection, unlike foreign fruits from land they described as "impure."

The letter also referenced the efforts of Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, the first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Mandatory Palestine, who advocated for the preference of local etrogs. The signatories, including numerous other prominent rabbis, concluded their appeal with a practical request for the public to ensure their purchase of the "arba minim" are exclusively from Israel, invoking a blessing for choosing Zion and its people.