​This is a black and white photograph of a worker at an etrog farm holding up the perfect etrog. The young, smiling woman is holding the etrog in her outstretched hand for it to be photographed. The etrog is large, wider at the bottom and narrower at the top. The pitom (protruding stem) on the top is intact, as it should be. The box for packing the etrog in is on the table in front of the worker. A cushioned liner sits in the bottom of the box to protect the etrogs. If the pitom falls off the etrog, the etrog is no longer deemed kosher (suitable for use).

The etrog, a citrus fruit, is one of the Four Species, along with the willow, myrtle, and lulav (palm branch), that are used to fulfill one of the major commandments of the festival of Sukkot. In order for the etrog to be kosher (suitable) for use on Sukkot, it must be unblemished and complete. Pickers and packers must therefore be very careful when handling them.

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Sukkot and the Four Species - The Festival of Sukkot (Tabernacles) has two central commandments. The first is that Jews should live in a temporary abode (Sukkah) for seven days (eight days outside of Israel). The second is that on every day of the festival, Jews take the Four Species (Arba’at HaMinim) in hand and make a blessing over them.

Each of the Four Species has certain requirements for them to be fitting (Kosher) for the commandment (Mitzvah). According to tradition, the buyer should check that the requirements are present in each of the species. The Four Species consist of the Lulav (palm branch), the Etrog (citrus fruit), Hadass (myrtle branches) and Aravah (willow branches).