Status of Esrog if the Pitum Falls Off
Question
Is an Esrog still kosher for use if its Pitum (the protruding tip) or Shoshanta (the flower-like structure atop the Pitum) falls off?
Answer
If the Pitum of an Esrog falls off and exposes any part of the top of the fruit, the Esrog is invalid, even if only a portion of the Pitum is missing and the rest remains. However, if only the very top of the Pitum (the Shoshanta) is removed and the base of the Pitum still covers the Esrog, the Esrog remains valid. [Some authorities are strict and rule that even a missing Shoshanta invalidates the Esrog, but the prevailing custom is to be lenient, though it is ideal to choose an Esrog with an intact Shoshanta if one is available. Some Poskim distinguish between types of Pitum: In Esrogim where the Pitum is a separate wooden structure with a Shoshanta on top (common in some regions), losing the Shoshanta alone does not necessarily reveal the fruit and may not invalidate the Esrog. In Esrogim where the Pitum is part of the fruit itself (common in Eretz Yisrael), if the Shoshanta falls and exposes any part of the Pitum, the Esrog is invalid.]
Explanation
If any area of the Esrog’s top is revealed due to the Pitum falling off (from a blow or similar cause), the Esrog is invalid. This invalidation applies even if only part of the width of the Pitum is gone and exposes the fruit beneath, regardless of whether the rest of the Pitum remains. The reason for this invalidation is because the Pitam is considered part of the actual Esrog and hence if it is missing the Esrog is considered Chasar. Now, although there are opinions who rule that even a missing piece is valid unless the missing area is the size of an Issur, nevertheless, by the Pitam, since it is the top area of the Esrog which is readily recognizable, therefore even they were stringent to invalidate even the slightest missing piece from that area. This is because the main Hiddur of the Esrog is dependent on its top which a person sees at first glance and hence if it is missing it is not Hadar. [Admur] Thus, the main invalidation of an Esrog with a fallen off Pitam is due to Hadar. [Admur; M”A] If just the upper part of the Pitum (the Shoshanta) falls off, but the bottom part still completely covers the area where the Pitum grew, the Esrog remains kosher. The reason for this is because since the top of the Esrog is not missing it is not considered Chaser.
Sources: Admur 648:17 and 649:17; Michaber 645:7; Rama 649:5; Rambam ibid; Mishneh ibid; Rabbeinu Yerucham; Rabbeinu Manoach; Yireim 422; Hagahos Maimanis; Mordechai; M”A 649:9 and 17; Levush 648:7-8; Biur Halacha 648:12 “Mimakom”; Shaar Hatziyon 648:32; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 648:5; See regarding if the Pitum only has a Shoshanta if we treat the protruding area beneath the Shoshanta as the Pitum or as part of the Esrog: Kaf Hachaim 648:48; See however Sefer Kashrus Daled Minim p. 184 and Piskeiy Teshuvos 648 footnote 48 for other opinions
