Citron, or Etrog, Holds Deep Significance for Sukkot Holiday

The etrog, a citrus fruit often mistaken for a lemon, is a central symbol of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. While sometimes referred to as a "Jewish lemon," it is botanically a citron. Sukkot, which lasts for a week, begins on the evening of September 25, 2026. The holiday includes two full days of rest, September 26 and October 3, with a period known as Chol HaMoed in between, where Israelis traditionally work less and travel more.

The etrog is one of the four plant species mandated by the Torah for the "Netilat Lulav" ritual during Sukkot, alongside palm, myrtle, and willow branches. The Torah instructs followers to "take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of a hadar tree (citrus), palm branches, and the boughs of a thick-leaved tree, and willows of the brook, and rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days." The etrog is the "fruit of the hadar tree," and specific requirements for its quality can make it quite valuable, with perfect specimens costing hundreds or even thousands of shekels.

Believed to have arrived in Israel from India during the Second Temple period, the etrog requires careful cultivation. For an etrog to be considered kosher for ritual use, it must be grown in specific orchards where its lineage is known. Jewish cultivation of etrogs in Israel began about 150 years ago, initially relying on etrogs from Arab growers who did not crossbreed them with other citrus fruits. Early Jewish etrog plantations were established near Jaffa and later expanded to the Sharon region. Today, Israel is a major source of etrogs for Jewish communities worldwide.

Growing etrogs is challenging due to the tree's susceptibility to disease and need for meticulous care. Transporting the delicate fruit also requires special handling, often involving protective packaging and storage in decorative boxes, which can range from simple cardboard to ornate silver creations.

Selecting a kosher etrog involves specific criteria: it should be free of blemishes, have a bumpy, not smooth, peel (smoothness indicates crossbreeding), a stem located in an indentation, a thick peel, and minimal pulp. While the color can vary from yellow to greenish-yellow, light yellow etrogs are most prized. Some religious individuals use magnifying glasses to inspect the peel for damage. Those from ultra-Orthodox communities often prefer etrogs with a stem attached to ensure the fruit's integrity. The shape should be elongated, not round, and while size is not paramount, larger-than-average specimens are common. A kosher etrog remains fresh throughout the holiday, and the Netilat Lulav ritual is performed daily during morning prayers, except on Shabbat.