Religious Zionist Rabbis Select Prized Etrogs and Lulavs for Sukkot

Ahead of the Sukkot holiday, prominent rabbis and heads of yeshivas from the Religious Zionist community gathered to select the "four species" (arba minim) and inspect prized etrogs. The four species, consisting of an etrog, lulav, hadassim (myrtle), and aravot (willow), are central to the Sukkot festival.

The gallery showcases several rabbis engaged in this meticulous process. Rabbi Yehoshua Shapira was seen examining an etrog alongside Uri Shtetmler. Rabbi Haim Gantz was involved in selecting the arba minim, including the lulav and etrog. Rabbi Yaakov Ariel was pictured choosing hadassim.

Additionally, Rabbi Ido Yaacobi was inspecting etrogs at the Beit El Yeshiva in preparation for the holiday. As is customary each year, Rabbi Shamir Shaintop, head of the Halakha Kollel at Mercaz HaRav Yeshiva, was also seen examining etrogs from Israel.

The selection process emphasizes finding the most aesthetically pleasing and ritually acceptable specimens of each of the four species, a practice deeply ingrained in the traditions of the Religious Zionist movement.