US Ambassador Mike Huckabee Receives Rare 'Chazon Ish' Etrog

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee received a prized etrog from senior Haredi businessman Dovi Honig of New Jersey this week. Huckabee expressed his excitement, stating it was his first time holding such an etrog. The elaborate etrog, reportedly valued at thousands of shekels, was presented to Huckabee at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem ahead of the Sukkot holiday.

Honig, chairman of the Orthodox Jewish Bureau, presented the unique and valuable Sukkot ritual fruit to Huckabee, praising his work for the Jewish people. The gift was a large "Chazon Ish" type etrog, a variety known for its size and appearance. Huckabee remarked that he had never before seen or held a fruit of such magnitude.

During the meeting, Honig highlighted the work of his organizations and expressed deep appreciation for Huckabee's steadfast support of the Jewish people. He explained the connection between the etrog and the human heart, telling the ambassador, "You have a huge heart just like this etrog." Rabbi Chaim Michael Gutterman further likened the etrog, which remains on the tree through changing seasons, to Huckabee's resilience in supporting the Jewish people through both calm and difficult times.

Huckabee thanked his guests for the special holiday gift, showing considerable emotion. In a statement to "Kikar HaShabbat," Honig said he gave the gift in recognition of Huckabee's special support for the Jewish people and the State of Israel, adding that he felt divinely guided to find this particular etrog for the ambassador.