Hagay Kirshenbaum, a fifth-generation citron grower — “and the 14th generation in Israel,” he says — tells Al-Monitor that citron, or “etrog,” growers in Israel are “furious”: The Agriculture Ministry has decided to continue to import citrons to Israel. In 2013, 1,500 citrons were imported to Israel from Morocco, while this year, the number of imported citrons — from Morocco and Italy — has increased to 4,000.
The citron is a citrus fruit, but contrary to other citrus fruits, it isn't edible when picked off the tree. It constitutes an inseparable part of the Jewish "four species" tradition. During the Feast of the Tabernacles, Jews introduce under the Sukkah (the "hut" constructed for the feast) four plants: citron, a frond from a date palm tree and branches of myrtle and willow trees. They make a blessing over the four and wave them in different directions. Each plant represents a different aspect of the Jewish people.
