Hilchot Orlah

Orlah, Preface: The prohibition of orlah, a mitzvah dependent on the Land of Israel

What makes a mitzvah "dependent on the Land of Israel"? On the definition of these special mitzvot and the sanctity inherent in the soil and its produce. Also, on orlah's unique status inasmuch as it also applies abroad.

Orlah, Chapter 1: General Laws of Orlah

An overview of the general laws that govern the prohibition of orlah.

Orlah, Chapter 2: Calculating Orlah Years

How do you go about calculating orlah years for trees? How is that different from the orlah count for fruit?

Orlah, Chapter 3a: What is a tree?

The halachic definition of tree vs. vegetables vis-à-vis orlah includes various criteria. An overview of the Talmudic criteria as well as those added by Rishonim and Acharonim. Also, a look at those plants don't fit neatly into a specific category.

Orlah, Chapter 3b: Intermediate Plant Classification as Vegetables or Trees

While most plants fall into neat categories as trees or vegetables, some are on the seam and have characteristics of both. This chart classifies such intermediate plants, which has bearing on the laws of orlah, berachot and kila’im.

Orlah, Chapter 4: Saplings exempt from and subject to orlah laws

Are trees planted as a living fence subject to orlah, and if not in which cases? What about self-seeding trees that sprout up on their own?

Orlah, Chapter 5: Renewal of Trees: Planting, Transplanting, Grafting, Rootsuckers, and Layering

Does the orlah count restart when transplanting trees? For grafted trees, does it begin from the time of the graft or from when the rootstock was planted? On partially uprooted trees, rootsuckers, layered branches, and more.

Orlah, Chapter 6: Laws of Potted Saplings – Orlah and Nurseries

Laws of orlah as they relate to nurseries and unperforated pots. In which conditions can the orlah count continue for trees growing in nurseries?

Orlah, Chapter 7: Orlah fruit in the marketplace

Which fruits could be orlah in the marketplace? What happens when orlah fruit get mixed in with permitted fruit? On buying fruit in the marketplace and ratios of permitted to forbidden fruit required to nullify orlah.

Orlah, Chapter 8: Neta Revay

The laws governing neta revay, fourth-year saplings. Plus: can you redeem neta revay in the Old City of Jerusalem?