Compiling a mitzvah? For many years, Shas Chairman Rabbi Aryeh Deri has blessed a variety of etrogs of various varieties on Sukkot, including Moroccan, Yemenite and Chazva etrogs.
Compiling a mitzvah: Deri presented this morning in his sukkah - the most expensive etrog he has purchased "$5,000 in cash!" pic.twitter.com/eaU4KMiwqv
— Mordechai Halperin (@MHlpryn) October 1, 2023
This year, there were large etrogs and a small Moroccan etrog in his sukkah. Footage circulating online shows the Shas chairman displaying his various etrogs, one of which the Shas chairman said: "This is the most expensive etrog here because of the gartel, $5,000 in cash." Many online attacked the Shas chairman, writing, among other things: "Think how much bread and milk you can buy for $5,000 for needy children."
Another user commented: "Beyond the trolling, when the masses of Beit Israel receive food vouchers and groan under the rising cost of living, in my opinion the law allows cash payments of up to 15,11 shekels and businesses up to <>,<> shekels only."
Deri said that with a sense of humor, and in order to defend the honor of the Moroccan etrog, the Shas chairman jokingly said: Don't look at the small size of the Moroccan etrog, in Satmar in America thousands are paid for it in cash.
The words, as mentioned, were said in jest. The etrog itself, like all etrogs, was purchased by Rabbi Deri in Israel for only hundreds of shekels, as was his custom.
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