The travel period for the Jewish holiday of Sukkot is from September 19 through October 4, 2010.
Observant Jewish travelers may carry four plants – a palm branch, myrtle twigs, willow twigs, and a citron – in airports and through security checkpoints. These plants are religious articles and may be carried either separately or as a bundle. Jewish travelers may be observed in prayer, shaking the bundle of plants in six directions.
TSA’s screening procedures do not prohibit the carrying of such agricultural items through the airport or security checkpoints, or on airplanes. These plants are not on TSA’s Prohibited Items List. And, as always, TSA is committed to treating all passengers, including passengers who may be observing Sukkot, with respect and dignity during the screening process.
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13 Responses
Thanks for the article, but i don’t trust them.
If u come across a arrogant officer who doesn’t let you take it along, u can talk to the 4 walls.
A couple of years ago, after Sukkos I traveled from Eretz Yisroel to the US. They put my suitcase through the Customs Control machine, and were so excited because they thought my soap bar was an Esrog.
It might help to print out the official TSA notice on this and take it along with you to show a skeptical offer. It’s at http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/091310_sukkot.shtm (and make sure the URL is visible when you print it out).
If traveling overseas there are other issues pertaining to agricultural exports. It helps if your esrog box has a USDA or other certification of inspection on it.
#1 that statement is kafuy tova. They are going out of their way to accommodate us in this medina shel chesed and all you can to in make a nasty statement.
Maybe I am missing something, but how can these things become weapons?!?
5, gimme a break! use ur brains. of course yidden would never think of using it that way but they don’t understand that.
#4 charvona, dude, I’m talking from experience, I traveled via Canadian border and when I called they said it was OK, but the officer didn’t wanna hear of anything.
#3 Eli Willner, now we’re talking. Thanks for the link.
#5, mr. wheelchair – A lulav is pointy enough as is. Ever try jousting with it? An esrog can be hollowed out and makes a nice “green” ‘nade. Break the pittom, throw and close your ears.
:^D
Seriously, they are more concerned about bugs and agricultural diseases being spread internationally through the four species.
I used this info last year when flying and it was very helpful going though security. YWN should please provide the direct link to the TSA site & keep it as a top story throughout succos for the benefit of traveling readers.
Last year I came back from Eretz Yisroel through JFK before Succos with several esrogim. When the hispanic customs guy asked me what’s in the boxes I told him they were citroens. He then said, “Oh, esrogim”. He was quite nice and said I should go to some other guy to check it out which I did. The other guy was also quite nice and looked at one then said he didn’t have to check the other ones, wished my wife and me a happy holiday and passed us through.
#11
The customs officers are usually nice & I found them to be very proffesional. Not so the TSA.
The TSA inspoectors were formally minimum wage Wackenhut employees before 9/11. However, the are the most knowledgeable and polite people in the world compared the their French counterparts at De Gaul airport in Paris.