THE ELUSIVE ETROG
Jewish studies professor Joshua Teplitsky had his fascination with the etrog further sparked when he rummaged through some archives in Prague. A manuscript titled Documents Related to Acquiring Citrons for the Jewish Community revealed an early- 1700s merchant rivalry that culminated in one being sent to prison. Teplitsky, a Toronto native who now teaches at the University of Pennsylvania, imagined there were more stories to be told about the application of this agricultural commandment—one of four species related to the autumn holiday of Sukkot—and the unparalleled sensory role it plays in practicing Judaism. The new book, Be Fruitful!, is lled with fragrant discoveries from his co-editors and contributors, with tales about how etrogim were sourced in the Diaspora (many a lemon turned up instead) and how the Torah commandment to use a pre etz hadar (“beautiful tree fruit”) has shaped Israel. This pictured container, from the Bezalel School of Arts and Cra s in Jerusalem circa 1920s, even incorporates an Islamic in uence. “What appeals to me most is the combination of aesthetic and observance,” says Teplistky. “How those binaries are all tangled up so wonderfully in a little fruit with so many timeless messages. And then, a er seven days, it withers away.” Sukkot begins on the evening of Sept. 29, 2023.
Be Fruitful! The Etrog in Jewish Art, Culture, and History , edited by Joshua Teplitsky, Warren Klein and Sharon Liberman Mintz (Mineged Publishing House, 2022) Be Fruitful!
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