590 —מנהג חב"ד של אתרוגים מקאלאבריא והוספה בלימוד חב"ד

B"H, 3 Iyar, 5710.

Harav Hachasid v'chulu Moreinu Harav Yitzchak Tzvi Liberman

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your question: The custom among Chabad chassidim is to take for the four species etrogim that grow in southern Italy, called "Calabrian" after their place of growth, or "Yanover," after the city from which they used to be sent in earlier times. In recent years, they have been purchased from the Kreah brothers in Genoa, and it was on such an etrog that my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe zatzal (may his merit protect us), would also recite the blessing. See Shut Chatam Sofer Orach Chaim section 27; Shaar Hakolel (by Rabbi Avraham David Lavut) on Siddur paragraph 37; Sdei Chemed Asifat Dinim entry Etrog there, and general rules entry Lulav and its kinds.

Regarding etrogim from Calabria—which is referred to by our Sages as "Italy of Greece"—it is also worth noting Bereishit Rabbah (parsha 67:6): Mishmanei Haaretz Yihiyeh Moshavecha ("From the fat of the land shall be your dwelling")—this is Italy of Greece (so is Rashi's version on Torah there); Rambam at the end of Hilchot Isurei Mizbeach: Kol Chelev LaHashem etc.; Mishnah at the beginning of Bikkurim: One does not bring etc. from fruits of the valleys etc.

I have heard many times from my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe zatzal, that a meeting between two Jews should bring benefit regarding Torah and mitzvot. And although what was discussed above is also a matter of Torah and mitzvot, all this could certainly have been clarified by asking Anash in our camp. Therefore, I hope that this exchange of letters will also bring benefit by increasing your study of Chabad teachings and further involvement in helping others and similar matters.

Many thanks if you will inform me with good news about this.

Blessings and wishes for all good things,
Rabbi Menachem Schneerson

Summary

The Rebbe details Chabad’s tradition regarding Calabrian etrogim for Sukkot and encourages every interaction between Jews to lead to growth in Torah study and acts of kindness, especially in Chabad teachings and helping others.