Shemitah, Appendix B: Shemitah Sanctity, Sefichin, and Bi'ur for Grains, Legumes, and Seeds
When does each kind of produce have shemitah sanctity, and when is its' Bi'ut time?
|
Grain/legume/ |
Shemitah sanctity and sefichin prohibition starts[1] |
Sefichin prohibition ends |
Bi'ur time |
|
Barley |
Early May shemitah |
Early May eighth year |
Late Nov. eighth year |
|
Black-eyed peas4 |
Not sacred |
NA |
NA |
|
Caraway4 |
Not sacred |
NA |
NA |
|
Coriander (seeds)[2] |
Early June shemitah |
Early June eighth year |
Early Dec. eighth year |
|
Corn on the cob |
3 Tishrei shemitah |
Chanukah eighth year |
No bi'ur[3] |
|
Dried beans4 |
Not sacred |
NA |
NA |
|
Ful (fava beans) |
Early April shemitah |
Early April eighth year |
Late Nov. eighth year |
|
Ginger4 |
Not sacred |
NA |
NA |
|
Hummus |
Early June shemitah |
Early June eighth year |
Early Dec. eighth year |
|
Lentils4 |
Not sacred |
NA |
NA |
|
Millet |
Early Aug. shemitah |
Mid-Aug. eighth year |
Mid-Sept. end of shemitah |
|
Oats4 |
Not sacred |
NA |
NA |
|
Peanuts |
Mid-Sept. end of shemitah |
Mid-Sept. end of eighth year |
Late Nov. eighth year |
|
Peas4 |
Not sacred |
NA |
NA |
|
Popcorn |
Early July shemitah |
Early Aug. eighth year |
Late Nov. eighth year |
|
Poppy4 |
Not sacred |
NA |
NA |
|
Pumpkin seeds4 |
Not sacred |
NA |
NA |
|
Rice[4] |
Not sacred |
NA |
NA |
|
Soy4 |
Not sacred |
NA |
NA |
|
Sunflower seeds |
Mid-Aug. shemitah |
Mid-Aug. eighth year |
Early Dec. eighth year |
|
Watermelon seeds |
Early July shemitah |
Early July eighth year (Mid-Tamuz 5783-2023) |
Late Nov. eighth year |
|
Wheat[5] |
Not sacred |
NA |
NA |
[1] For these crops, the stage of growth that determines their status is one-third of their growth as of Rosh Hashanah of shemitah.
[2] These are coriander seeds, not the leaves. Coriander seeds are needed to grow coriander leaves, and the growing time is much longer for the seeds than for the leaves. This is why its bi'ur time is different than the one found for coriander leaves in Appendix C.
[3] Since it can be found growing in the field all year round, bi'ur does not apply.
[4] These plants do not grow in Israel (as of 5782) and are all imported—so the laws of shemitah do not apply to them.
[5] Almost all wheat for human consumption is imported. Locally grown wheat is used for animal fodder. As this is the case, we need not be concerned that the wheat and wheat products on the market need bi'ur.
