Etrog Pierced by a Thorn
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Question
I have an etrog with a small hole about half a millimeter in size, which I noticed was made by a thorn that was nearby. What is its status?
Answer
Shalom and blessings
An etrog that has a hole but nothing is missing from the body of the etrog, such as when a thorn pierced it and came out without removing part of the flesh, if the hole does not reach the 'seed chambers' [- the middle of the etrog where the seeds are located], the etrog is kosher.
Even if there is doubt whether part of the flesh was removed by the thorn, the etrog is kosher.
If it is known that part of the flesh of the etrog was removed, the etrog is not kosher. And not only when the flesh - the inner white part - is missing, but also if only the outer peel - the yellow-green part - is missing, the etrog is rendered non-kosher.
Source
Shulchan Aruch, Siman 648, Mishnah Berurah, Se'if Katan 11