Part of the 'Shoshanata' fell off
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Question
I bought an etrog with a pitom, and part of the upper wood on the pitom fell off. Is the etrog kosher?
Answer
Shalom Rav
The pitom is divided into two parts: the part attached to the etrog is called 'pitom' or 'dad', and the dry part that looks like wood at the top of the pitom is called 'shoshanata'.
If the shoshanata fell off and the body of the pitom is not damaged, the etrog is kosher. According to the Shulchan Aruch, it is considered mehudar. According to the Rema, if he has another etrog of the same level of mehudar and the shoshanata is not missing, he should prefer the second etrog. However, if he does not have an etrog of the same level, he should take the one from which the shoshanata fell off initially.
Source
Shulchan Aruch, Siman 648:7, Mishnah Berurah, Subparagraph 31