אות - קכה

On Sukkot 5570/1809, the Rebbe spoke about the etrog , saying that one’s Days of Awe the beauty of one’s etrog . This was discussed earlier (see note 245, p. XX) . Etrogim were impossible to find that year and the community had already resigned itself to do without one at all.

There was not an etrog to be had in the entire land until just a day before Sukkot. Then, in His own miraculous ways, God made it that the needed etrogim reached several nearby towns. These fetched premium prices, and in some communities were sold for as much as fifty rubles and more.

Here in Breslov, the Rebbe was able to obtain a particularly beautiful etrog (see Yemey Moharnat #38-39) . He was so overjoyed that he asked us to bring musical instruments and play for him, making it an occasion of celebration. For three continuous days, he was so inspired by the etrog that he did not feel his terrible illness at all. His joy was so great that it literally revived his health.

He continued to speak about this etrog even after Sukkot. He said that we had no idea how precious is the mitzvah of etrog and how high its level. The fact that Jews spend more money for the observance of this mitzvah than for any other is not without significance. It shows that this mitzvah is precious beyond all measure, even though we might not be aware of it.

If people knew the true greatness of the etrog , they would do “who knows what” for it. The Jews are a holy people (Isaiah 62:12) . They are very wise and not easily fooled. They spend much money for etrogim , and this is certainly not without good reason ( Yemey Moharnat #38) .

The Rebbe spoke about this at length, emphasizing the importance of the etrog .