Question:Can you please explain what I need to be aware of regarding eating shevi’is produce? Discussion: The following is a brief summary of some of the dinim that apply to eating shemittah produce: Eating Shemitta Produce – Shemittah produce may be eaten but cannot be ruined, destroyed, or actively rendered unfit for human consumption (Gemoro Pesochim 52, Rambam Hilchos Shemitah Perek 5 Halocho 17). One is not obligated to prevent shemittah produce from passive spoiling (Chazon Ish Siman 14). There is discussion among the Acharonim regarding whether it is permitted to indirectly cause shemittah produce to spoil (e.g. by placing it in a place that will become sunny and consequently the food will spoil faster). One may not ruin the taste of shemittah produce, for example by mixing into shemittah fruit a bitter tasting medicine (Toras Ho’oretz, Mishpetei Eretz). However, it is permitted to eat half of a fruit even if the other half of the fruit will not be eaten and will spoil faster (Rav Elyashiv, Rav Nissim Karelitz). Children – one can give shemittah produce to a young child, provided that the child is old enough to eat most of the food (even if a minority of the food will be wasted). One should refrain from giving shemittah produce to a young child if it is likely that the child will waste most of the food (Mishpetei Eretz). The Regular Way – although shemittah produce can be eaten, it must be eaten in the way that this food item is usually eaten (Yerushalmi Shevi’is Perek 8 Mishna 2; Rambam in Peirush Hamishnayos Ma’aser Sheni Perek 2 Mishna 1). I.e., foods that are normally eaten raw may not be cooked, and foods that are usually cooked may not be eaten raw. Foods that are normal to be eaten either raw or cooked may be eaten raw or cooked. A vegetable that is usually eaten raw cannot be pickled (Rav Elyashiv, because l’chumra pickling is considered like cooking). Shemittah produce may be dried (Pe’as Hashulchan), pickled (Mishmeres Hashvi’is) or mixed into other foods (Pe’as Hashulchan), provided that this is a normal way of eating this particular food item. Frying – oil that has kedushas shevi’is can be used for frying (Rav Elyashiv) but should not be used to grease a pan, if one’s intention is that the food should not stick to the pan (Rav Elyashiv, Rav Nissim Karelitz). However, if one also intends to add flavour to the food, it is permitted. Havdolo and Arba Kosos – One should not extinguish the havdolo candle in shemittah wine because this ruins the shemittah wine (Sefer Hashemittah). If one uses shemittah wine for arba kosos one should not pour from the kos when reciting the ten makkos (Sefer Hashemittah ibid). Peeling – It is permitted to peel shemittah fruits and vegetable that are usually peeled, even if it is possible to eat them with their peels (Chazon Ish Siman 14). One may not peel fruits and vegetables that are not usually peeled, unless this is being done for small children who need to have the fruits or vegetable peeled (Rav Elyashiv). The correct way to dispose of peels will be discussed separately. One is allowed to remove a bad or mouldy part of a fruit or vegetable (Mishpetei Eretz Perek 22 Se’if 22). Juice – grapes and olives that have kedushas shevi’is may be pressed for their juice. The same applies to oranges, lemons and grapefruits (Chazon Ish Shevi’is Seder Hashevi’is). Care should be taken to dispose of the fruit after squeezing as per disposing of shemittah produce. According to Rav Wosner it is also permitted to squeeze other fruits and vegetables, provided that it is normal to squeeze them. Grating and Blending – it is permitted to grate or blend fruits and vegetable that have kedushas shevi’is, provided that it is normal to grate or blend these items. |
Shemitta
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