Picking Etrogs, 1978

This is a black and white photograph of two men picking etrogs. One man is standing next to the tree and is carefully handing an etrog to the man sitting on the ground, next to whom there is a box padded with flax to protect the fruit. There are already eight etrogs in the box and room for a few more.

The etrog, a citrus fruit, is one of the Four Species, along with the willow, myrtle, and lulav (palm branch), that are used to fulfill one of the major commandments of the festival of Sukkot. In order for the etrog to be kosher (suitable) for use on Sukkot, it must be unblemished and complete. Pickers and packers must therefore be very careful when handling them.

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Discussion Question

Observation

• Describe the people in the photograph.
• Describe the surroundings.
• What objects can be seen in the photograph?
• What type of photograph is this? (family portrait, group photo, landscape, event photo, etc.)

Reading Between the Lines

• What are the men doing?
  What is the name of the fruit?
  When is it used?
  How is it used?
• Describe the box.
  What does it tell you about the fruit that is being stored in it?
• If this photograph were in color, what colors would you expect to see?
• What are the Arba Minim (Four Species)?
  When and how are they used?
  What is the biblical source for the Four Species?
  What are the requirements for a kosher (suitable) etrog?
• Search for additional photographs in the NLI collection describing the process of preparing etrogs for sale.
  Where does this photograph fit in the process?

Connections

• Have you or your family ever owned your own Four Species (Arba Minim)?
  What did your etrog look like?
  How did it smell?
  Where were they grown?
• Have you ever grown fruits or vegetables?
  What did you grow?
  How did you feel when you ate the produce that you had grown?

Creative Ideas

• Design an infographic describing each of the four species that comprise the Arba Minim. Suggested websites: Venngage and Canva.
• Write a list of questions that you would like to ask the men in the photograph about their work.

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