Q&A

I picked oranges from my tree, placed them in a bag, brought them inside and put them on the counter. I emptied the bag (or so I thought!) onto the counter, cut off more than 1%, and proceeded with the berachot and saying the text of separating terumot and ma'aserot.

A few minutes later, I realized that two oranges were still in the bag! I wasn't sure if I need to do the whole process again, since I did intend that the separation was for everything I picked. Granted, the oranges were still in the bag, but the bag was open and it was right next to the other oranges. Later on, I discovered that I had put an orange in my jacket pocket (and it was there with me at the time I separated terumot and ma'aserot.

What I did do was separate a bit from the two oranges (this was before I discovered the third in my pocket), and said the berachah without Hashem's name. Then I realized that it's best to just ask Torah VeHa'aretz Institute. J What do I do now, and does my second separation count?

With great excitement we recently picked some mandarins (tangerines) from our tree, hoping to taste the fruit at last with the reviis bracha.

Unfortunately, they were very dry and not pleasant at all to taste.

There are many left on the tree. 

Is it alright to just let them fall and put them in the trash?

On an agricultural note…do you, by any chance, have a remedy for this problem please?

We have noted that the branches bearing the fruit now have very yellow leaves, whereas the rest of the branches, not bearing fruit, are happily green.

I have a small vegetable patch in my yard. What is the order of the berachot on separating terumot and ma'aserot this year (5785)? Are we supposed to say the first berachah on separating terumot and maaserot and say the text? For the second berachah, are we supposed to substitute "ma'aser ani" for "ma'aser sheni"? Do we need to redeem it onto a coin? What do I do with the part of the vegetable I separated?

What amount of hefker (ownerless) fruit is obligated in teurmot and ma'aserot miderabanan? If produce in a private garden is declared ownerless, does it have hefker status?

Is it permissible to plant herbs (such as lemon balm, savory, and louisa underneath a grapevine? If this is forbidden and was already done due to ignorance, what is the status of the grapes and the herbs?

I initially planted mint in my garden 50 cm away from my tomato plant. Later on, the mint spread towards the tomatoes. Is it necessary to cordon off the mint and uproot some of it?

I purchased blueberry seedlings from Kibbutz El Rom, which are now growing on my second-floor balcony in flowerpots. One of the seedlings is from 5781 and is now a fourth-year bush. How can I eat the fruits (I am a member of Otzar Ha’aretz)? How do I redeem them? Do I need to redeem them if I don't bring the fruit inside and eat them on the balcony? What should I do when the blueberries ripen gradually? Should I redeem each time I pick a few blueberries, or can I redeem all the blueberries that will grow this year during the first harvest? Also, when the blueberry bush enters its fifth year, do I need to separate terumot and ma'aserot from individual fruits each time I pick a few blueberries, or should I separate them all at once? Do I need to recite a blessing for the separation?

How should I clean grape leaves from insects for cooking? Is it possible to buy leaves that are already insect-free?

I have had the opportunity to fulfill the mitzvah of pidyon petter chamor for the first time in my life. Should I recite the blessing of shehecheyanu on this mitzvah?