The largest four-species market in Israel is set to open for Sukkot in Jerusalem’s Valero Square, located adjacent to Mahane Yehuda Market.
Several dozen stalls will offer the agricultural items associated with the holiday—the “etrog” (citron), “lulav” (palm branch), “hadas” (myrtle) and “arava” (willow)—individually and in sets, in different varieties, and in accordance with the customs of various Jewish communities.
The colorful and unique market, which is being held for the 25th year, will have about 40 stalls selling high-quality produce, including citrons imported from Italy and Morocco costing hundreds of shekels, which buyers carefully inspect with magnifying glasses.
“A person who sees the ‘Etrog Exchange’ in the Four Species Market in Jerusalem will see trading just as action-packed as on Wall Street in New York,” city officials said in a statement.
Over 700,000 sets of the four species are sold in markets across Israel every year.
The market will operate on Tuesday, Sept. 26, to Thursday, Sept. 28, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., and on Friday, Sept. 29, from 8 a.m. until two hours before Shabbat begins.
“Jerusalem and its residents from all backgrounds and communities have a unique, rich and special tradition for the holidays of the [Hebrew] month of Tishrei. The capital city is characterized by a unique historical, cultural, national and religious richness and depth that is not found anywhere else in the world, or in the country. The Jerusalem Four Species Market is one of a kind, and is an authentic traditional, national and cultural celebration,” added the statement.
