Books and Oils

Now in its second edition, The Esrog by Zaide Reuven, believed to be the first work of its kind to focus entirely on the ….The Esrog…., the prized centerpiece of the Arba Minim (Four Species).

The Esrog by Zaide Reuven is a perfect way to enhance the Simcha of Succot and is packed with the history and Halacha, science and symbolism, and medicine and mysticism, of The Esrog.

The Esrog by Zaide Reuven has stories, facts and activities for the young and not-so-young, for Yom Tov and Chol Hamoed.

Why the Esrog? Believed by some to be the "apple" of the Garden of Eden, the Esrog is the "heart" of the Arba Minim, "Four Species" from which, according to Jewish tradition, incredible spiritual blessings will flow if taken in the appropriate fashion.

The Esrog must be understood within the context of the Four Species and the festival of Succot itself. The observance of the commandment to take the Four Species, radiating with the beauty of the Esrog, commemorates and celebrates at once God's greatness, His forgiveness, His life-giving power, the Torah, the greatness of our forefathers and Sages, the unity of Israel and our atonement, punishment of the wicked and the restoration of the Temple. Every aspect of Jewish life and aspiration is reflected in the Four Species and with its observance is the promise of messianic redemption. The Esrog epitomizes these aspirations and "symbolizes the continuity of Jewish history and its common aspiration, binding together the disparate geographic units of the Diaspora over the centuries(1)" .

I looked at the etrog the golden,
And dreamt of the orchards of gold,
I dreamt of the ages the olden,
That never in hearts will grow old (2).

Enlarged Second Edition - Now also available as ebook
As an accompaniment to many Zaide Reuven’s Esrog Trees, this book has found its way into homes and offices throughout Israel, North America and Europe. New material in this edition adds depth to an already encylopaedic work on The Esrog:
- Medical uses of The Esrog
- Recipes for Esrog Schnapps and Candied Esrog
- Recipes for Esrog perfume
- Esrog genetics (how much of an Esrog is an Esrog?)
- Tu B'Av - 15th Av, a lesser known festival on the Jewish calendar
- Bircat Ilanot - the blessing on seeing fruit trees bloom every spring
- Pollinating your Esrog Tree and making cuttings
- The Esrog and the establishment of the State of Israel
- A detailed map illustrating The Esrog trade in the 14th - 20th Centuries will escort the reader from The Esrog orchards of the Mediterranean to the shtetls of Eastern Europe
PLUS: A true story of how a Russian doctor discovered Zaide Reuven’s Esrog Farm after his assistant received messages from "voices"
The Esrog by Zaide Reuven has 58 pages and 317 footnotes covering Talmud, Midrash, Gematria, Halacha, Kabbalah, Anatomy, Recipes, Quizzes, Stories, Internet and Botany, on…..
The Esrog
The Esrog by Zaide Reuven is written by David Wiseman, the grandson of the real Zaide Reuven.
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(1) Isaac E, and Isaac R. A Goodly Tree. Commentary 22 (4) October, (1958), pp307.
(2) From: The Etrog, by Philip M. Raskin, Poems for Young Israel, Behrman House, New York, 1925.

"It shall be that all those who are left over from the nations who have invaded Jerusalem will come up every year to worship the King Hashem, Master of Legions, and to celebrate the festival of Tabernacles (Succot)" (Zechariah 14:16).
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Welcome to this project of Zaide Reuven's Esrog Farm. We have undertaken this project in response to the many requests we receive from non-Jewish groups concerning Succot and the Four Species. We have acted only after consultation with Orthodox Rabbis, including a leading Posek. Please note that we are mainstream, observant Jews and not associated at all with any movement that seeks to evangelize Jews to Christianity or away from Torah observant Judaism. Please do not hesitate to call us for more information.
Tabernacles - Succot: When the Messiah Feasts with Jews and Gentiles

READ THIS PAGE IF.....
You are a Christian who wishes to:
understand how you will celebrate Tabernacles in the Messianic Era
enhance your Fall - Harvest Festivals
plan a safe non-pagan and biblically based alternative for Halloween
learn about the Hebrew roots of your faith
You are a Jew or Noachide who wishes to
deepen your understanding of Succot and its Messianic significance
enhance your observance of Succot

With awesome eagerness Jews and Christians are anticipating the messianic age. We differ about the identity and role of the Messiah, but we agree that the messianic age will climax yearly in the Feast of Tabernacles. Jew and Gentile, Israel and the Nations will worship together in peace, according to Zechariah:

"It shall be that all those who are left over from the nations who have invaded Jerusalem will come up every year to worship the King Hashem, Master of Legions, and to celebrate the festival of Tabernacles (Succot)" (Zech 14:16)

The Jewish People have always understood the centrality of Tabernacles in the messianic age. Christians have begun to prepare for these times by incorporating Tabernacles into Church ritual, enhancing Fall Festivals or planning non-pagan, alternatives to Halloween. Using well referenced material from both traditions this book is written from an observant Jewish perspective, for all those who await the messianic age of peace.

Topics covered:
· The messianic significance of Tabernacles
· Final Judgment and Revival of the Dead
· Who will share in the World to Come?
· The Jewish Messiahs: Son of Joseph and Son of David
· Tabernacles in Christian Theology
· Step by step guide to Tabernacles observance (from Leviticus 23) for Jews and Gentiles, including prayers, the Four Species, how to build a Succah

Essential Reading for:
For Jews and Noachides who wish:
· to deepen their understanding of Succot and its Messianic significance
· to enhance their observance of Succot
For Christians who wish:
· to understand how they will celebrate Tabernacles in the messianic era
· to learn about their faith’s Hebrew roots
There are also valuable coupons for the purchase of essential Succot items.

ISBN 0-9666222-1-9

Dean Wheelock's Hebrew Roots (Oct-Dec 1999) had this to say about it: "not only worth reading, it is worthy of study" Hebrew Roots