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R abbi Haim Palagi of Izmir Turkey, in his Sefer Moed L’kol Hai (24:25), brings the

following Segulah for an easy childbirth:


It is customary for a pregnant woman to take the Etrog on Hoshanah Rabah and
remove the pitom in order to disqualify the Etrog. She should then give charity ac-
cording to her abilities. The understanding is based on the opinion that the “tree
of knowledge” was an etrog tree. The sin of Eve brought death to the world and dif-
ficulty in childbirth (Some question the practice on Hoshanah Raba and wait until
after Simhat Torah). Rabbi Yaacob Hillel quotes this in his Sefer Roni Akara (page
83) and notes that some have the custom to bite the pitom.
The following prayer should be recited:





   












  

 




 


 





 
 
 





 








 


 





 

 




 

 




 


 
 

 

   



M aster of the universe, it is obvious and known before You that on


account of Eve sinning and eating from the “tree of knowledge” death
came to the world and difficulty in childbirth came as a result of the sin as
well. If I was there at that time I would not have eaten or benefited from the
tree at all, just as I did not to disqualify the Etrog during the Holiday. Only
now that the mitzvah is complete did I disqualify the Etrog; I would not
disobey your command. Accept my prayer and supplication with favor that I
should not pass away due to pregnancy or labor. Save me and let me have an
easy and smooth delivery without pain or difficulty. May there be no harm
to me or my baby, because You are my Savior.
T here is also a custom for pregnant women to eat from the etrog af-

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.’
718.677.3707  

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