The ancient citrus fruit that holds a sacred place in Jewish ritual
In short: Beyond its bright yellow skin, the etrog is a centerpiece of the Sukkot festival. Used for centuries in religious ceremonies, this citron is more than just a fruit; it is a symbol of harvest, atonement, and a connection to the ancient landscapes of the Levant.
The etrog, or citron, is one of the four essential plant species used during Sukkot, a Jewish autumn festival of gratitude. Held in the left hand during rituals, the fruit is part of a bundle—including lulav (palm), hadasim (myrtle), and aravot (willow)—that is waved in all six directions during prayers. On the seventh day, known as Hoshana Rabba, these species are carried seven times around the synagogue's bimah to signify thanks for the land's fruitfulness and to petition for future rainfall.
The origins of the holiday are rooted in the Hebrew Bible. Known as ḥag ha-asif (the Festival of the Ingathering), Sukkot commemorates the end of the harvest when grains and fruits were gathered. It also recalls the period when the Israelites lived in temporary huts, or sukkot, during their wilderness wanderings after the Exodus from Egypt. This tradition involves constructing outdoor shelters with thatched or branched roofs, where practitioners may eat or even sleep to honor the history of their ancestors.
Archaeological evidence highlights the fruit's long-standing importance in the region. While citrus pollen is rarely preserved, a 2012 discovery of citron pollen at the Ramat Rachel site dates back to the second century BCE. Furthermore, depictions of the etrog appear in mosaics at the Maon, Beth Alpha, and Hamat Tiberias synagogues, often alongside other religious symbols like the menorah. This suggests the fruit has been a central icon of religious life since the Second Temple era.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Etrog | Fruit, Meaning, Significance, & Citron | Britannica
- Also: Etrog
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