Sukkot in Jerusalem: Finding the Perfect Etrog

Etrogim on display on Emek Refaim Street in Jerusalem

This year we are enjoying Sukkot in Jerusalem, where the whole city is teeming with preparations for the holiday that starts tonight. The sukkot (booths or huts) are popping up everywhere -- in courtyards, on terraces, and in front of restaurants on busy streets. Folding tables appear in front of cafes, supermarkets, and other stores, displaying a wide range of etrogim (citrons, one of the four species required for the blessing and waving ritual that is characteristic of the seven day holiday (eight days outside of Israel.)

Today's video gives you a good idea of what it's like to shop in Jerusalem's Four Species Market, which is open for only a few days before Sukkot. It highlights the features of a perfect etrog, and explains that one of the reasons for holding and waving the etrog, the lulav, the hadasim and aravot all together is the symbolism of uniting the Jewish people as a whole, including those who study Torah and do good deeds (the citron), those who only study Torah (the date palm branches), those who only do good deeds (the myrtle), and those who do nothing (the willow branches) but are also included in the community.

We wish you Moadim L'Simcha (Holidays for Happiness) and a joyous Sukkot. We'll be back with more Jewish humor on Wednesday.

(A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.)