Like every holiday, Sukkos, is celebrated with special mitzvot, namely eating in the Sukkah and making a blessing on the four species: ESROG, LULAV, HADASIM, and AROVOS. All these species possess specific characteristics to deem them worthy for use on the holiday. And Hamafitz assures this kashruth.

This year as well, Rabbi Eliezer Lipa Shapiro of Hamafitz traveled to Calabria, Italy with Rabbi Eliyahu Matusof, and as two EIDIM, meticulously selected Yanaver esrogim of the finest kashruth and quality for Tishrei 5768. (click on the Seal to see the Hachsher)

Rabbi Matusof, a most scrupulous mashgiach, employed by Hamafitz for over a decade solely for the purpose of inspecting the esrogim for Hamafitz, crept under the thorny branches to ascertain the kashruth of the actual esrog trees. At the same time, Rabbi Shapiro chose esrogim sought-after by his clientele which were also scrutinized. Thus, every single Yanaver esrog sold by Hamafitz exclusively was supervised and is guaranteed kosher by Rabbi Matusof.

The esrog must be a “piri eitz hadar” a pure, complete, and beautiful fruit. It is a citron, a special fruit from the citrus family that dwells on the tree throughout the year.

Pure
Firstly, an esrog must be pure bred, not grafted with different bushes. Nowadays, farmers plant various trees in close proximity to the fragile esrog trees, including a Chush Chash branch, to strengthen them and increase their productivity. Frequently, orchards have both types of esrogim, pure and grafted, making it necessary for each esrog tree to be examined. Our mashgiach therefore crawls below the hedges to do just that.

Complete
The esrog must be “mehudar,” complete and whole; the pitum, a little stick at the top of the esrog, must remain intact. The Yanaver esrog’s pitum though falls off naturally in the first stages of growth while still on the tree, and thus is kosher and wholesome without a pitum.

Beautiful
The esrog’s beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, but several standards as well as customs apply. A clean esrog, free of blemishes, scratches, marks, and stains is desirable, but a rarity indeed, for every particle of sand that blows on an esrog will leave a spot. People thus aim to acquire an esrog that is at least clean at the top. The size of discolored stains, and the consistency of extending blemishes determine the kashruth of the esrog-a hard bump is kosher, while a “water filled” bump is not.

The generally preferred shape for an esrog is elongated and symmetrical, and the esrog has ridges and bumps; in fact a totally round esrog like a ball is not kosher. Some of Chabad Lubavitch honor the Yanaver esrog with a sturdy girth, and others have different preferences, often personal taste. Of course, the size is a factor, but does not affect the kashruth of the esrog provided it is not smaller than an average egg. And the esrog should be yellow or close to it, for a totally green esrog is not kosher for the mitzvah. Placing yellow apples in a box together with a green esrog will encourage the esrog to turn yellow.

Additionally, we carry various Israeli Esrogim, including Moshe Friedman’s esrogim, renowned for their beauty and high quality under the hechsher of Badatz Jerusalem and Kfar Chabad esrogim under the hechsher of Rabbi Mordechai Ashkenazi at the lowest prices on the market.

The Lulav, a part of the date palm, should have a straight spine, and the leaves should cleave to one another and point upwards. The tip should preferably be closed, but is kosher provided it is not split more than one third down.

The ideal Hadasim feature green and upright leaves. Three leaves should grow in an even row on each stem, overlapping the bottom of the upper row, etc. for a length of three handbreadths from the top of the twig and covering the top. Three branches of hadasim are required for the mitzvah, while more may be added for beauty.

The ideal Arovos grow near water and have long smooth leaves and a somewhat red stem. Two, and only two, arovos are to be used to fulfill the mitzvah.

As always, Hamafitz offers good service and competitive prices on all types of Esrogim sets. Our staff works diligently to satisfy all our customers. Please, in turn, order early to ensure prompt service and delivery.