Lakewood Rabbonim Warn Of Potential Problems With Israeli Esrogim

Senior Rabbonim affiliated with Lakewood's Beis Medrash Gavoha have come out with a warning regarding the potential pitfalls of purchasing an Esrog from Israel for this post-Shmitta Succos

Because one is not allowed to profit from Israeli produce grown during the Shmita year, the only permissible way of selling an Israeli Esrog this year is via an "Otzer Beis Din". This means that the sale of the Esrog is done under the auspices of a Beis Din, and that the seller essentially acts as an agent who can charge only for the "Tircha", the work involved in getting the Esrog to the consumer; The seller may not charge for the Esrog itself.

In general, many are choosing to stay away from the Israeli Esrogim this year, instead purchasing Esrogim from such places as Yemen, Morroco, California, and Arizona.