‘Fruit of the Goodly Trees’: The Talmudic Discourse on the Etrog Citron

Eliezer E. Goldschmidt*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

The third chapter of Sukkah in the Talmud is dedicated to the “Four Species,” amongst which is the etrog citron. The traditional identification of the etrog (pl. etrogim) as the “fruit of the goodly tree” (Lev. 23:40) is further supported by clues from the biblical text. In order to be qualified for its ritual use, the etrog must have a typical, elongated shape, with a peduncle, and preferably a “pitam.” A whole fruit, intact, mature, green-yellow in color, without any blemishes is required. The detailed Talmudic discussion is reviewed and illustrated from an agricultural botanist’s viewpoint.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Citron Compendium
Subtitle of host publicationThe Citron (Etrog) Citrus medica L.: Science and Tradition
PublisherSpringer International Publishing
Pages387-403
Number of pages17
ISBN (Electronic)9783031257759
ISBN (Print)9783031257742
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2023.

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