Tevet 5786, Issue no. 25
Article
Overview on the laws of sprouting seeds in your home for private consumption
Rabbi David Eigner
Many people sprout different types of seeds in the house and eat them after sprouting. What are the laws involved with sprouting in your house? What do we need to know?
Q&A
Uprooting a tree that yields sour fruit
Rabbi Yehuda HaLevy Amichay, Head of Torah Veha'aretz Institute
We have a grapefruit tree that yields sour grapefruit, so we don’t fertilize or water the tree. Since we don’t like the fruit, the grapefruits are left on the tree until they fall on their own. The result is that our yard is littered with dozens of rotten, foul-smelling fruits that attract insects. In light of this, would it be permitted to cut down the tree?
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.
Plants in the Garden of Mitzvot: Banana
Dr. Mordechai Shomron, agronomist
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
Now is the time to book a 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 via WhatsApp)
From soul to soil: Women's learning event on the mitzvot hateluyot ba'aretz
OU Israel will be holding a women's learning event dedicated to the mitzvot hateluyot ba'aretz. Mrs. Shoshan Raiz, from our English Department, will be giving over a hands-on workshop on terumot and ma'aserot.
Mon, Jan 19, 9:15 AM –1:00 PM
Locations:
161 Yaffo -HaMerchav HaHevrati, Jerusalem;
5 Reuven St, Beit Shemesh
Admission: NIS 50, brunch included
Register here for the Jerusalem event and here for the BS event
Tu Bishevat conference followed by Seder Tu Bishevat at Torah VeHa'artez Institute
When? Sunday, 14-15 Shevat, (February 1, 2026)
Where? Torah VeHa'aretz Center, Nitzan
Admission: Free
The conference is followed by a Gala Tu BiShevat Seder (plus meat meal) run by Rabbi Yaakov Ariel shlitah
Note: The conference and seder are in Hebrew
Shabbat retreat for donors
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 BiShvat.
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