Balady citron
A citron variety used in Jewish ritual, promoted in the 1870s.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
The balady citron is a variety of citron, also known as etrog, cultivated in Israel primarily for Jewish religious ceremonies. It is not indigenous to the area; Jewish communities likely brought it there around 500 BCE or, according to another theory, 300 BCE, though the earliest clear evidence of its ritual use comes from later periods. For a long time, it was not widely grown in the region. Its popularity grew in the 1870s thanks to a promoter named Rabbi Chaim Elozor Wax (a different figure from the famous 18th-century rabbi of the same name), who promoted and organized its distribution.
The name "balady" comes from the Arabic word for "native." Local Arab farmers started using this term in the mid-1800s to set it apart from the Greek citron, which was grown along the Jaffa coast. Like the Florentine and Diamante citrons from Italy and the Greek citron, the balady is an acidic variety.
Citrus fruits are not originally from Israel. According to Gallesio, Jews from Babylonia brought the citron to Judea around 500 BCE, while Tolkowsky argued that Greek settlers introduced it from India about 200 years later, in the 3rd century BCE. The citron is not the oldest cultivated fruit in the country—olives, figs, and dates predate it by millennia. Because of its religious importance to Jews, small amounts were exported during Roman times. In the 1800s, balady citrons were grown on the edges of Nablus, Nazareth, Tiberias, Safed, and Alma (in the Galilee), as well as in Umm al-Fahm and the village of Lifta near Jerusalem. Only in the mid-19th century did balady citrons start appearing significantly in European markets, sparking a religious debate over whether the fruit had been grafted and thus disqualified for ritual use.
In the 1870s, a rabbi named Chaim Elozor Wax (not to be confused with the earlier Noda BiYehuda) dedicated himself to cultivating the balady and organizing shipments to Europe. He believed it had the strongest traditional lineage of purity and claimed it was growing wild when Nahmanides (d. 1270) arrived in the country. He wrote many letters to rabbis, hoping to persuade the Jewish diaspora to use the balady citron. These letters appeared in his responsa *Nefesh Haya* and in the responsa of his correspondents, as well as in pamphlets addressing the Greek citron controversy. Under his influence, many Jews began buying the balady instead of the Gre
- type
- Citrus variety
- also known as
- Balady etrog
- origin
- Imported to Judea around 500 or 300 BCE (earliest clear ritual use documented later)
- cultivation region
- Israel (formerly Palestine)
- primary use
- Jewish ritual purposes (etrog)
- key promoter
- Rabbi Chaim Elozor Wax (1870s; distinct from the 18th-century Noda BiYehuda)
- acidity
- Acidic variety
Lore & Background
The balady citron is an acidic variety, alongside the Florentine and Diamante citron from Italy, and the Greek citron. According to Gallesio, Jews from Babylonia introduced the citron into Judea in around 500 BCE, while Tolkowsky believed that Greek settlers brought it from India around 200 years later during the 3rd century BCE. The citron is not the oldest cultivated fruit in the country—olives, figs, and dates predate it by millennia. During the 1800s, the Balady was grown on the outskirts of Nablus, Nazareth, Tiberias, Safed and Alma (in the Galilee), in Umm al-Fahm and in Lifta village near Jerusalem. It was only in the middle of the 19th-century that Balady citrons began to feature significantly in the European market and a religious Jewish controversy subsequently erupted as to whether
Reader's Guide
The balady citron holds significance primarily as a ritual object (etrog) used during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. Its history reflects a complex interplay of religious tradition, agricultural development, and economic aspiration in 19th-century Palestine. Rabbi Chaim Elozor Wax championed the Balady as the most authentic, pure lineage citron, sparking a controversy over grafting that divided Jewish communities. Despite his efforts, the Balady could not compete commercially with the Greek citron introduced in the 1840s, which was more attractive and profitable. Later, some Israeli rabbis worked to rescue and select sub-varieties, leading to named selections such as those associated with the Chazon Ish. The balady citron remains in cultivation today, favored by followers of the Brisker Rov and the Chazon Ish, and is also used in Israeli cuisine for jams, juice, and alcoholic drinks. Its legacy is one of religious authenticity versus commercial viability, and of the preservation of a variety tied to ancient ritual practice.
Did You Know?
- The name 'balady' is Arabic for 'native,' used by local Arab farmers in the mid-19th century to distinguish it from the Greek citron.
- Rabbi Chaim Elozor Wax planted 600 trees in 1875, and by 1883 over 40,000 citrons had been exported.
- The Greek citron was introduced for plantation in the 1840s by Sephardic Jews with financial backing of Sir Moses Montefiore.
- Balady citron varieties are still grown today and are favored by followers of the Brisker Rov and the Chazon Ish.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Balady citron?
It is a specific citrus variety, commonly called the balady etrog, cultivated in Israel primarily for Jewish religious observances rather than as a culinary ingredient.
Where did Balady citron originally come from?
The fruit is not native to the region; Jewish communities introduced it to Judea roughly between 500 and 300 BCE for ritual purposes, though it was not widely cultivated locally for centuries afterward.
Who is credited with making Balady citron popular in the 1870s?
Rabbi Chaim Elozor Wax took the lead in promoting the variety and organizing its distribution, which significantly boosted its cultivation and recognition across the region.
Why is it called 'balady'?
The name derives from the Arabic word meaning 'native,' a term local Arab farmers began applying in the mid-1800s to distinguish this locally grown citron from imported Greek varieties.
What role does Balady citron play in Jewish tradition?
It serves as the etrog, the fruit held and displayed during the Sukkot holiday, making it one of the most ritually significant citrus fruits in Jewish practice.
More in Israeli cuisine 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record