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An esrog of shmittah cannot be bought from an am ha’aretz. If he doesn’t wish to give it for free, the price of the esrog may be included in the lulav’s price. This is because the lulav used on shmittah is still from the sixth year.

 Summary 

 Challenge: If the lulav would be from the seventh year, it would be forbidden? It is mere wood which does not attain kedushas shvi’is as we learn in the beraisa: 

Leaves of reeds and leaves of the grapevine, that were collected in a silo: If they were collected to be eaten, they have kedushas shvi’is. If they were collected to be used for firewood they do not have kedushas shvi’is. 

 Resolution: There is a special exception for things used as firewood. This is based on the possuk of “For you, for eating”, it means only something that is used by you in the same manner as food - in that it is enjoyed as it is destroyed. But the benefit of firewood comes only after it is destroyed. [Rashi: But a lulav is enjoyed as it is destroyed, since it is used as a broomstick, it decays as it is being swept].

 Challenge: Oily woods (used for illumination) are used while they’re being destroyed?

 Rava: Ordinarily wood is not used for illumination; the majority use of wood is only after it is destroyed.