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The Healing
ter it is made into jam. Rabbi Rahamim Palagi, son of Rav Haim
Palagi, cites it in his Sefer Yefe L’lev (Siman 464). The healing powers are
based on the following Midrash Raba (Vayikra (37:2): A pious man’s wife
Power of
gave him ten coins on Hosha’na Rabbah and said to him: ‘ Go and buy
something for your children in the market.’ No sooner had he gone out
than the charity-collectors met him. They said: ‘Here comes the lord of
Etrog Jelly
charity! Give your share, to this charity,’ they begged, ‘for we are buying a
wedding-dress for a certain orphan girl.’ He took the ten coins and gave
them to the men.
Being ashamed to go home, he went to the Synagogue. There he saw some
of the etrogim that the children throw about on Hosha’na Rabbah. Now
we have learned that it is permitted to take away the palm-branches from
the children, as well as to eat their etrogim. So he took the etrogim, filled
a sack with them and set out on a voyage upon the Great Sea in order to
reach the king’s province. When he arrived there, it so happened that the
king felt a pain in his abdomen and was told in a dream: ‘This is your
cure; Eat of those etrogim which the Jews use in their prayers on Hosha’na
Rabbah and you will be healed.’
His servants searched all ships and the entire province but could find
none. They went and found that man sitting on his sack. ‘Have you any-
thing with you? ‘They asked him. ‘ I am a poor man,’ he replied, ‘and I
have nothing to sell.’ They rummaged in his sack and found some of the
Yad Yosef Torah Center etrogim. ‘Where are these from?’ they inquired. He told them that they
were of those which the Jews used in their prayers on Hosha’na Rabbah.
1032 Ocean Parkway They lifted the sack and brought it to the king, who ate them and was
Brooklyn, NY 11230 cured. They emptied the sack and filled it with gold coins. The king said
to him: ‘Ask any other favor and I shall grant it to you.’
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