Halachic Guides

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 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?

Orlah, Appendix: Fruit in the Marketplace - Review

Can we be sure we’re not buying orlah fruit in the supermarket? In the shuk? A review of the kashrut practices employed in the field and sectors where orlah fruit can be an issue.

Herb classification as tree or vegetable for kilei zera'im and kilei hakerem

A comprehensive list of common herbs with English, Hebrew, and Latin names, categorizing them as trees or vegetables, to avoid the prohibitions of kilei zera'im and kilei hakerem (interplanting with annuals and vineyards). Since there are different halachic guidelines for vegetables and trees, this is a valuable reference.