Tevet 5786, Issue no. 25

Article

Overview on the laws of sprouting seeds in your home for private consumption

Rabbi David Eigner

Home sprouting

Many people sprout different types of seeds in the house and eat them after sprouting. Which halachot pertain to indoor sprouting?

QA

Uprooting a pomegranate tree with inedible fruit

pomegranate tree

Rabbi David Eigner

Our pomegranate tree is about 5-6 years old. It's never really produced edible fruit. We're considering getting another non-fruit tree in its place. Are we allowed to uproot the pomegranate tree?

Read the answer >>

Clip

The Journey to the Forbidden Place

Chasalat–Aleh Katif stands at the forefront of the insect-free leafy vegetable industry, operating under the guidance and supervision of the Torah VeHa’aretz Institute. Founded in Gush Katif and now based in Sderot, Chasalat upholds the highest standards of kashrut, minimizes pesticide use, and is committed exclusively to Hebrew labor.

In collaboration with the Torah VeHa’aretz Institute, Chasalat recently released a kid-friendly animated feature film (with English subtitles) that highlights the importance of insect-free vegetables and the rigorous methods Chasalat employs to ensure produce meets these standards. The film features voice actors from Underdos.

If you can't see the clip, click >>

Plants in the Garden of Mitzvot

Why do we say ha'adamah on bananas?

Dr. Mordechai Shomron, agronomist

Banana tree in Garden of Mitzvot

Every child knows that the correct blessing for bananas is borei peri ha'adamah—but have you ever asked yourself why this is so? An overview on the botanic realities behind the banana plant's unique halachic status.

News

Tu Bishevat Lectures

Now is the time to book a lecture or lecture series for Shevat!

Many synagogues and organizations are beginning to book lectures and workshops ahead of Tu Bishevat. Book your lecture or lecture series today!

Rabbi Moshe Bloom: h.moshe@toraland.org.il
052-890-3729 (also WhatsApp)

Tu Bishevat Conference & Seder

Save the date: Tu Bishevat Conference followed by Seder Tu Bishevat at Torah VeHa'aretz Institute

Sunday, 14-15 Shevat, (February 1, 2026)

Admission: The conference is free

The conference is followed by a Gala Tu BiShevat Seder (plus meat meal, at a cost) run by Rabbi Yaakov Ariel shlitah

Note: The conference and seder are in Hebrew

Shabbat Retreat for Donors

Shabbat retreat

On Shabbat Beshalach, the Shabbat preceding Tu BiShevat, a special Shabbat retreat for Friends of the Torah VeHa’aretz Institute will be held, dedicated to the themes of Tu BiShevat.

This uplifting and enriching Shabbat will be spent together with the rabbis of the Torah VeHa’aretz Institute and will include a Motzei Shabbat program, participation in the Tu BiShevat conference, and the Tu BiShevat Seder that evening.

All programs will be conducted in Hebrew.

To register for the Shabbat retreat: 073-219-6969

From Soil to Soul Women's Learning Event

OU Israel will be holding a women's learning event dedicated to the mitzvot hateluyot ba'aretz. Shoshan Raiz, from our English Department, will be giving over a hands-on workshop on terumot and ma'aserot.