Q&A

Purslane grew underneath the stairs of the synagogue, right in the seam between the sidewalk and the bottom stair (see picture).

I want to pick the seeds, keep them, and plant them after shemitah outside of my house. Is this permissible?

If so, do I have to just take the seeds and not touch the plant, or am I allowed to cut the plant above ground level? May I uproot it?

I am a scientist at an agricultural research institute which performed heter mechirah. I would like to harvest samples of wheat planted during the shemitah year in the field sold through heter mechirah. Is it permissible for a Jew to harvest in this way, since it is not the regular method of harvest and in addition I do not intend to eat the wheat kernels?

 The brand Dorot Farm is sold in the United States. What is the status of the carrots in terms of shemitah?

I am considering visiting an orchid boutique nursery - it's called Sharon Orchids, in Rishpon, HaPrachim 31. Am I permitted to buy an orchid plant in view of shemitah?

Is it permissible to burn chametz that contains shemitah produce, such as banana bread?

Before Shabbat I saw I was short on carrots, so I borrowed a few from my next-door neighbor. I just restocked with otzar beit din carrots. Can I "repay" my neighbor with these carrots that have kedushat shevi'it, or is it like repaying a debt with kedushat shevi'it produce?

Do I need to uproot Kila'im in my garden during the shemitah year?

 I have a tree in my yard that just entered its fourth year on 15 Shevat. I know that if we have a tree with orlah fruit hanging on it, we should remove the fruit so that (1) it doesn't get mixed up with neta revay fruit that will develop later on and (2) anyone who comes into the yard to take shemitah fruits doesn't inadvertently take prohibited orlah fruit.

Does this fruit have kedushat shevi'it, meaning does it have to be double-bagged or just thrown away regularly?

Can I take Kedushah produce with me on the plane?

At this time of year, chickweed and milk thistle generally sprout, and I usually feed them to my chickens. Am I allowed to do that this year? If so, in what way?