This poster, from October 1, 1933, is an announcement from the Bet Din (Rabbinical Court) Hassidim regarding the sale of Etrogs (citrus fruit) before the festival of Sukkot (Tabernacles). Due to the rising cost of Etrogs, many people could not afford to buy one for themselves. For this reason, the leaders of the community demanded that the Gaba’im (Synagogue officers) in all synagogues should buy a set of “Four Species” for the congregation. This would enable everyone, including those people who cannot afford the price of the Etrog, to be able to perform the Mitzvah (Commandment) of holding the “Four Species” and saying a blessing over 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 them. The Four Species consist of the Lulav (palm branch), the Etrog (citrus fruit), Hadass (myrtle branches) and Aravah (willow branches).
The Etrog is the most expensive item of the Four Species and has the following requirements according to Jewish ritual law: the peel cannot be punctured, cracked, dry or peeled. The shape should preferably be like a tower –wider at the bottom and narrow at the top. If the Etrog grew with a protruding stem (called a pitom), then that stem cannot be broken off. However, if the Etrog grew in the first place without the pitom, it is kosher.
The poster was printed in 1933 and relates to financial difficulties that were prevalent during this time. 1933 was the time of the British Mandate when the economic infrastructure of the country was still weak. There was a clear divide between the more advanced sectors of society, and the traditional sectors.
