Kislev 5786, Issue no. 24
Article
Article: Halachic guide for separating terumot and ma'aserot from olive oil
Rabbi Netanel Oyerbach
When it is possible to use produce for fuel, such as olive oil, should we separate more than the kolshehu for terumah gedolah (as we do for other types of produce)?
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Q&A
Which ma'aser do I separate from Kislev papaya harvest?
Short answer / Dr. Mordechai Shomron, agronomist
There is a dispute among the posekim whether the papaya is considered a fruit tree or a vegetable. For this reason, say the conditional text: "if this year requires ma'aser sheni, it is ma'aser sheni, and if the year requires ma'aser ani, it is ma'aser ani." Then proceed to separate ma'aser sheni without a blessing.
Expanded answer / Rabbi Moshe Bloom >>
Clip
Advanced separation
There are many fruit trees on a gated high school campus, where I work. I'm concerned that the students won't necessarily separate terumot and ma'aserot. Is there something I can do to prevent them from eating untithed produce?
Rabbi Moshe Bloom provides a solution.
If you cannot see the clip, click here >>
Garden of Mitzvot
Is khat subject to orlah?
Khat is an evergreen perennial woody shrub. Its leaves are traditionally chewed as a stimulant. Since khat is halachically considered a tree, are the leaves considered "fruit"? Are they subject to the orlah prohibition?
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News
Family Chanukah Festival at Torah VeHa'aretz Center
Date: Wednesday and Thursday, 27-28 Kislev, December 17-18
Time: 10 AM – 2:30 PM
Admission fee, subsidized by Eshkolot: Only NIS 10 per person!
What's on the program? Visitors' Center, Chanukah-themed treasure hunt in the Garden of Mitzvot, self-guided tour of the Garden of Mitzvot, a Chanukah Kahoot! , arts and crafts, VR binoculars (additional fee), and family photo opp. with ancient-style clothing and the Seven Species.
Full details >>
Purchase your tickets today >>
Herbs, halachah, and a Kahoot! showdown for South African & Australian students
We were thrilled to host two South African and Australian groups studying in Har Etzion-MTA yeshiva, twenty boys in total. The groups included teens finishing their first year of yeshiva and 10th graders participating in a three-week summer program in Israel (it's summer vacation there at this time of year).
Rabbi Bloom took led the students through the Visitors' Center, the Garden of Mitzvot, where they picked herbs for besamim bags, followed by a hands-on terumot and ma'aserot workshop with cherry tomatoes and an onion from the garden—an exciting first experience for many of the boys. The day concluded in a competitive Kahoot! game, that tied all the learning together.
Nefesh B'Nefesh seniors' day
For the first time, we were delighted to host a group of Nefesh B’Nefesh seniors for an inspiring visit to our Center, complete with a tour of the Garden of Mitzvot and a terumot and ma’aserot workshop—featuring lemons from the only non-orlah tree in our garden (the Garden of Mitzvot is still pretty new, after all). According to Nefesh B’Nefesh’s events manager, there was such a big demand, many participants were waitlisted. But no fear, we’re already planning the next Nefesh B’Nefesh visit and can’t wait to welcome the next group. Thank you to Rena Levin, the Nefesh B'Nefesh events manager.
Special visits for special visitors
This week, we had the distinct privilege of hosting a small group of young men from Yeshivat Darkaynu, the only year-in-Israel program designed for young men with special needs, based in Gush Etzion, a program of Ohr Torah Stone. Our special visitors enjoyed a hands-on tour of our Garden of Mitzvot picking herbs for Havdalah bags, tasting stevia leaves, and learning about papaya – all this under umbrellas, since we had a bit of rain. They played a competitive Kahoot! and finished their immersive, multi-sensory experience in our Visitors' Center. Two weeks ago, we hosted a visit from their parallel program for young women, Midreshet Darkaynu. We would like to thank Rabbi Aryeh Sokol, the co-director of the boys' program.