Q&A
Nissan: Birkat Ha'ilanot for flowers that are still closed
Can we say birkat ha'ilanot on a tree with buds that resemble white balls, whose petals have not opened yet, or is it necessary to see the petals of the flowers? We have an orange tree in this state now.
Permaculture and kilayim
I was wondering what the halachic implications of companion gardening and permaculture are.
Is there a way to plant a field this way without violating kilayim?
Terumot and Ma'aserot from Myrtle Berry Liqueur
There are people who prepare liqueur from the small fruits that grow on myrtle bushes (hadas) during this season of the year (hereinafter: "myrtle berries"). Is it necessary to separate terumot and ma'aserot from them?
Viduy and bi’ur ma’aserot
How do we fulfill in our days the Mitzva of Viduy and Bi'ur Ma'aserot?
Strawberry harvest in the eighth year
I have strawberries in my garden that I planted during the sixth year. What is their status now that shemitah is over? If I pick them after Rosh Hashanah, do they have kedushat shevi'it? Do I have to separate terumot and ma'aserot?
Joining Agudas Shemita
I read an advertisement on observing the mitzvah of shemitah through Agudas Shmita. You sign up on the website, and appoint the organization as your agent to purchase land on your behalf. That is, you buy land in Israel (starting from 1X1 amah to 4X4 amot) for the duration of the shemitah year. The land is officially registered under your name and you relinquish ownership of the crops during the shemitah year. In this way, you observe two mitzvot: "During the seventh year you will remit it and abandon it" and "The land will rest a sabbatical unto G-d." Each person receives a precise map noting the piece of land they purchased. This parcel is privately-owned land (it does not belong to the Israel Land Administration) between Yavniel and Tiberius. It says that Agudas Shmita has the support of many rabbis from the Ashkenazi and Sephardi Chareidi community, and also has legal guidance.
This land is worked during the sixth year; in this way, donors will merit the blessing "and I command my blessing to you during the sixth year." At the beginning of the shemitah year, a sign will be put up that the produce is ownerless. They also write that women are obligated in the mitzvah of shemitah. The rabbi heading the organization is Rabbi Shmuel Eliezer Stern, rabbi of western Benei Berak and the av beit din of Sha'arei Hora'ah.
How does Torah VeHa'aretz Institute view this project?
Kedushat shevi'it wine after the bi'ur time
Two-and-a-half years ago I received a gift of a bottle of wine from someone who is not scrupulously observant. The wine is Hermon wine from the Golan Heights and is marked otzar beit din 5775. I received the bottle several months after the bi'ur time. I know that this person is not a wine lover, and often passes on to others the wine he receives as a gift. I am concerned that he received the bottle as mishlo'ach manot on Purim and passed it onto me without performing the actions necessary at bi'ur time. I kept the wine until today since I was not sure what to do with it. I'm asking: is it permissible for me to drink the wine even though it might have passed bi'ur? If not, what should I do with the bottle? Thank you.
Shemitah guides for the private garden
I searched the website and I couldn't find a comprehensive guide on the laws of shemitah for the private garden. Does such a guide exist? I'd appreciate the link.
Tu BiShevat and orlah in and out of Israel
What is the connection between Tu BiShevat and Orlah? Is this rellevent if I live out of Eretz Israel?
Neta revay tree around Tu BiShevat
What you need to do around Tu BiShevat (15 Shevat), if you have a tree now in its fourth year?