[Avodah] esrogim from Israel

[Eli Turkel via Avodah]

First I am curious if anyone know if most of the esrogim sold in the US
this year were from Israel or from Morrocco/California or other places.

Enclosed are directions from R Kelelmer of West Hempstead on how to treat
esrogim of shemitta

The following are guidelines concerning the use of Esrogim after the
conclusion of Yom Tov as they relate to Shemittah (the 7th year in Israel)



   1. Any esrog picked in Chutz- L’aretz (outside Israel) one may use for
   any constructive purpose (e.g. cooking / crafts). Otherwise one can discard
   the Esrog. However the minhag is to wrap it in plastic before discarding.
   This also includes leftover parts of the Esrog. These Esrogim do not carry
   any prohibitions relating to Shemittah.



   1. Esrogim picked – or which have become ripe during the 7th year in
   Israel, carry a special set of Halachos highlighting their sanctity. One of
   the Halachos is the prohibition to initially export Esrogim from Israel to
   Chutz L’aretz. One of the exemptions to this prohibition is the concept of
   “Otzar Bais Din” (treasury of a Rabbinic court) which hires farmers to
   harvest produce with great latitude – allowing them to perform work in the
   orchards/ fields which would not normally be allowed to the individual
   farmers. These Esrogim may be exported. Indeed you may have notice on your
   esrog box a seal of a particular Bais – din with the words: “Otzar Bais
   Din”. These Esrogim according to most Poskim allow the marketing of Esrogim
   in Chutz L’aretz, and the charge for the Esrog is for the payment of the
   farmers whom the Bais – din hires. If your esrog box does not carry such a
   seal please contact Rabbi Kelemer or Rabbi Goller.



   1. Esrogim from Israel carry kedusha even if purchased through “Otzar
   Bais Din” and are treated as sacred fruit.  As mentioned they can be used
   for normative purposes- however any leftover parts must be placed in a
   container (preferably with a note saying “Sheviis produce”. (A sheviis bag/
   box designated to eventually be discarded.) One waits until these parts are
   no longer edible (or otherwise no longer usable for any purpose) and then
   discarded with the container sealed. Additionally, the cooking and
   consumption of these Esrogim must take place before Rosh Chodesh Shevat.



   1. Unfortunately, there is much confusion as to the caliber of present
   “Otzar Botei Dinim” and their detailed observance of the Halacha. In our
   community the Esrogim with the seal of the Bais Din of the Chassidic sect
   of Belz have been marketed and are highly reliable.



   1. Finally, you may have heard – or previously followed the practice –
   of returning the Esrog to Israel. This is indeed an intelligent chumra
   which a minority of Poskim require. If you chose to do so you may leave
   your esrog in a box in the office lobby designated: For Israeli Esrogim.”


-- 
Eli Turkel
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