HALACHIC NOTICE: ETROG DISPOSAL This past year was the Shemitah year in Israel, and the etrogim that CBAJ distributed were grown in Israel during the Shemitah Year. This means that our etrogrim have the kedusha (sanctity) of shemitah year produce, and must be treated with extra reverence. The etrogim should ideally be disposed of or eaten by Tu Bishvat (February 6, 2023), which is one week from today. The etrogim may be disposed of in one of the two ways: 1. The etrogim may be eaten. The seeds may be disposed of normally, however the peels should be treated in accordance with option 2. for disposal. Please note: Concerns have been raised about the heavy use of pesticides in etrogim. You are encouraged to look into this independently before eating your etrog. 2. They may be allowed to rot or shrivel up beyond the point of consumption, and then disposed of respectfully (i.e. by burying it or by wrapping it up and then disposing into garbage). Nothing may be done to actively hasten the etrog decomposing-it must be passively allowed to shrivel up.
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob 380 Whitehall Rd Albany, NY 12208
