Religious Zionist Rabbis Urge Ban on Imported Etrogim for Sukkot

Ahead of the Sukkot holiday, leading rabbis from the Religious Zionist community, organized under "Torat Ha'aretz HaTova," have issued a strong public call urging the Jewish public to purchase the Four Species exclusively from Israeli-grown produce. The rabbis condemned the growing trend of importing etrogim (citron fruits) from overseas, which they say undermines the sanctity of the land of Israel and proper observance of the mitzvot.

In a public letter titled "To Our Dear Brothers in All Jewish Communities," the rabbis emphasized that imported etrogim, often chosen for their appearance or lower price, lack the spiritual significance of those grown in Israel. They cited the teachings of the Beit Yosef, who stated that fruits of the land of Israel draw holiness from the Divine Presence, a quality absent in foreign produce described in the Bible as "impure soil."

The rabbis also referenced Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook's historic efforts to strengthen Hebrew agriculture and prioritize local crops. They noted that even diaspora rabbis have historically advocated for preferring Israeli etrogim. The letter concluded with a direct appeal to the public to buy only Israeli-grown Four Species, invoking a blessing for those who heed this guidance.

The statement was signed by prominent rabbis including the organization's presidents Rabbi Yaakov Ariel, Rabbi Isser Klonsky, and Rabbi David Hai HaKohen, alongside a distinguished list of religious leaders such as Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed, Rabbi Eliezer Igra, Rabbi Yaakov Filber, Rabbi Yaakov Shapira, Rabbi Elyakim Levanon, Rabbi Michael Hershkowitz, Rabbi Uri Cohen, Rabbi Yehoshua Magnes, Rabbi Yosef Artzi'el, Rabbi Eitan Eiseman, Rabbi Moshe Gantz, Rabbi Mordechai Greenberg, Rabbi Mordechai Nagari, and Rabbi David Turgeman.