In Leviticus 23; 40 Moses conveys the Torah’s commandment: “On the first day [of the Festival of Sukkot] you must take hold for yourself… Fruit of the Beautiful Tree…”
This in-depth mini-series focuses on portions of Masechet Sukkah that record teachings of our Sages about the Etrog. First focusing on deciphering the Torah’s deliberate use of enigmatic language and then highlighting other issues that crop up regarding ensuring the Kashruth of this organic Mitzvah item!
In these presentations the words of our Sages are richly illuminated by earlier manuscripts and layered commentaries of the medieval, classic, and modern era.
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Episode Six: “TWO FOR THE DOUGH”
After documenting the biblical sources to identify the Beautiful Fruit mentioned in the Torah as an Etrog (Citron), we began to clarify the legal status of unfit specimens.
In the previous Episode we focused on the Prohibited Produce known as Orla, first yields of fruit that are biblically prohibited. This led us into rules and regulations Second Tithe that we must consume in the Holy City of Jerusalem, although it may not technically belong to us.
In continuing our quest to better understand the Etrog, we further explore the Second Tithe Connection, which takes into a question of two doughs: Matzah vs Challah!
In typical Talmudic fashion, we seek Intergenerational Attribution which forces us to revisit old questions: is it Legal Permission or Cash Value that will determine reality?
Here, quite incredibly ruling principles of Sukkot Etrogim, Second Tithes eaten in Jerusalem, Passover unleavened observances, and Cohanic Gifts all converge!
This is the Sixth segment of an ongoing Talmud Series on The Etrog.
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