Written by Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com Rav Leibel Rand shlita heads an outstanding Kollel in the heart if the Far Rockaway/Five Towns Community, called “Kolle Avreichim.”  This Kollel has produced remarkable products including: Founders of a world-class Mesivta Program – Shaarei Chaim (which just launched its own Beis Medrash program – with Talmidim coming from as far as Lakewood and Monsey) Rabbonim who have taken leadership positions throughout the country. Kiruv Professionals who have created facts on the ground. Poskim in halacha such as Eiruvin and the like. What follows is a previous shiur given by Rav Leibel Rand Shlita at Kollel Avreichim in Far Rockaway/Five Towns. The following is a synopsis of what was presented in that previous shiur. D’ORAISAH MITZVOS The Mitzvos d’oraisah that come once a year are very special to Klal Yisroel. We are under the impression that we have 613 Mitzvos, but in our days, they are much rarer. The Minchas Elazar used to cry when he performed one of the once-per-year Mitzvos. When asked why he was crying he responded, “Nowadays we do not have taryag Mitzvos anymore. We only have 270 mitzvos – [the siman is Raish Ayin which in gematria is 270 and also means “bad.”] The Minchas Elazar was crying for those Mitzvos that are missing. So, we should “chap-a-rein” when faced with the rarer once-per-year Mitzvos and perform them in the most optimal manner possible. WHAT IS OPTIMUM IN AN ESROG So what is the optimum esrog? We will try to rank the maalos. The first is that it should be clean. Nekius. The Pri Magadim says that is the ikkar – essential quality in what makes an ideal esrog. The only thing that is considered a true blemish is something that is nirah l’anayim – seeable to the naked eye and is obvious at arm’s length. At that distance you ought to be able to detect that blemish without particular concentration. If you don’t notice a blemish at arm’s length then it is okay. This means without iyun b’histaklus. What are we looking for? Maaros psulos – colors that disqualify the esrog – Black or white. Where on the esrog is the maareh pasul? The line is the nose – the chotem of the esrog. above the half line where it starts sloping. If you have a mareh pasul anywhere from there to the top it is pasul. There is, however, a Machlokes about where the chotem is. There are four shitos – opinions. Rashi, the Rosh, the Chsam Sofer, and the Ri migash and Rach. This fourth opinion holds that the stem of the pitom is the chotem. The final halacha is that anywhere in these four areas  – a maareh pasul would render the esrog pasul. Optimum is completely clean above here. No need for magnifying glass.  As far as the lower part of the esrog , it is nisht geferlach. That is the first thing to look for. 2. The second is the look of the esrog. This is not a psul but a maalah. An esrog where the color is not uniform, is not a good look. It should not have different blotches. Either fully yellow or fully green is okay. However, if it has blotches of these two different colors then it is […]

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