Rabbi Elisha Vishlitzky's Old Rebuke on Lulav Price Gouging Resurfaces

An old video of Rabbi Elisha Vishlitzky, may his memory be blessed, sharply criticizing price disparities in the "Four Species" market for the Sukkot holiday has gained renewed attention. In the recording, the rabbi argued that the desire to enhance a religious observance cannot justify a situation where farmers receive minimal payment while the final product is sold to consumers at prices many times higher than their original cost.

During his remarks on preparations for Sukkot, Rabbi Vishlitzky questioned why a "beautiful" etrog (citron) should cost hundreds of shekels. He stated that high prices could only be justified if they reflected the special investment made by the grower, such as if the etrog was more delicate and required extra care. "But if he receives one percent out of a hundred, and the sales agent receives 99, that is a crime. A complete crime," he asserted, emphasizing that even the desire for religious enhancement does not excuse such price gouging.

Rabbi Vishlitzky recounted an instance where a farmer told him he sold sprigs of hadas (myrtle) for two shekels, only for the agent to sell them for 80-90 shekels, calling it a "distortion." He also shared an anecdote about visiting Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli, who, after a brief examination of an etrog, simply declared it "a beautiful etrog." Rabbi Vishlitzky implied that while extra scrutiny of the etrog is permissible, it does not justify exorbitant prices, reiterating his central question: "Why does he have to pay 300 shekels?"

The rabbi stressed that responsibility for these price distortions lies not only with the sellers but with "everyone who lends a hand to this distortion."