Q. What is the mitzvah of biur shevi’is?
A. One of the special requirements for fruits that have Kedushas Shevi’is (i.e., fruit that grew in Israel during the shmita year) is the mitzvah of biur. This mitzvah is accomplished at the end of the harvest season for each variety of fruit, by physically removing any remaining fruit of that variety from your possession and publicly declaring it ownerless in front of three people. Afterwards, one may reacquire the fruit. If biur was not done on the appropriate date, the fruit becomes forbidden to eat. Therefore, it is important to know the date for biur. For example, the date of biur for clementines is May 23rd, 2016 (the fifteenth of Iyar 5776) and for lemons and oranges is July 7th, 2016 (the first of Tamuz 5776). Please note that Israeli clementines, for those who do not rely on Heter Mechira, should not be bought after this date. In all cases, one who purchases produce from Israel without certification should separate Terumah and Ma’aser (https://oukosher.org/blog/consumer-kosher/separating-terumah-and-maaser/).
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Halacha Yomis - Terumah and Maaser (cont.) - Biur Shevi'is OU Kosher Halacha Yomis This column is dedicated in memory of: Rav Chaim Yisroel ben Reb Dov HaLevi Belsky, zt'l Senior OU Kosher Halachic Consultant from 1987-2016
Q. What is the mitzvah of biur shevi’is?
A. One of the special requirements for fruits that have Kedushas Shevi’is (i.e., fruit that grew in Israel during the shmita year) is the mitzvah of biur. This mitzvah is accomplished at the end of the harvest season for each variety of fruit, by physically removing any remaining fruit of that variety from your possession and publicly declaring it ownerless in front of three people. Afterwards, one may reacquire the fruit. If biur was not done on the appropriate date, the fruit becomes forbidden to eat. Therefore, it is important to know the date for biur. For example, the date of biur for clementines is May 23rd, 2016 (the fifteenth of Iyar 5776) and for lemons and oranges is July 7th, 2016 (the first of Tamuz 5776). Please note that Israeli clementines, for those who do not rely on Heter Mechira, should not be bought after this date. In all cases, one who purchases produce from Israel without certification should separate Terumah and Ma’aser (https://oukosher.org/blog/consumer-kosher/separating-terumah-and-maaser/).
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