Separation with lack of intent: Oops! I didn't see those oranges!
Question
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?
Answer
Answer: Separating terumot and ma'aserot involves naming the gifts and designating their location from a specific group of produce – thus intention, kavanah, is crucial. If you are not aware of the existence of fruit, even if it is right next to the group of fruit you are separating from, you therefore do not intend to include them in the separation.
For this reason, too, merely putting a bit aside and reciting a berachah – with or without Hashem's name—does not constitute a separation, since the various components (gifts) have not been named and their location designated.
Keep in mind that when it is necessary to separate terumot and ma'aserot without a berachah (such as in the case where there is a doubt if the produce was tithed), no berachah is said – skip straight to the text. You need not say the berachah without Hashem's name.
Bottom line: Separate a little more than 1% from the three oranges with a berachah, since the previous separation did not apply to them.