An Old Story, a Message for Today: Awaiting the Geulah The day after Yom Kippur, Jerusalem was already bustling with preparations for Sukkot. People were hurrying through the streets, making their last-minute purchases and preparing for the chag.

Rabbi Chaim Yosef had found an etrog that he thought was particularly beautiful and Mehudar. He was very pleased with it, but before buying it, he decided to seek one final opinion.

He brought the etrog to the renowned Jerusalem talmid chacham and tzaddik, Rabbi Zalman Baharan of Meah Shearim.

After several attempts, he finally found the rabbi free to see him.

Rabbi Baharan took the etrog in his hands and slowly turned it from side to side. He examined it carefully, looking at every part of it. Then he stopped.

He held it closer and examined one particular spot. He turned the etrog slightly and looked again. Then he returned to the same place and examined it once more. Rabbi Chaim Yosef waited quietly.

After several moments, Rabbi Baharan looked up. “The etrog is beautiful and exceptionally fine,” he said. “But there is a small amount missing from the flesh of the fruit. It is kosher according to the........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)