Where to Buy Vegetables? Laws and Sanctity of Shemitah in Vegetables and Fruits

Question: I heard from a friend that until the month of Nisan, there's no concern for the sanctity of Shemitah in vegetables. Is this true?

It's important to know that certain vegetable crops already have significant concerns regarding Shemitah laws with all their implications. Sometimes, lack of knowledge from certain people can cause problems for those who wish to properly observe Shemitah. I will detail the times when Shemitah laws and sanctity apply to specific types of vegetables and fruits, which requires us to purchase only from properly supervised establishments, and not rely on unauthorized sales or places without proper kosher certification. The updated list for the year 5775 is based on the publication from the Badatz of the Edah HaChareidit Jerusalem.

Months when Shemitah laws apply

Carrots – Month of Cheshvan, harvested in Israel almost every month of the year (at the end of the Shemitah year, be careful not to buy from Shemitah produce kept in refrigeration).

Dry Onions – Already applies from Rosh Hashanah. Currently, onions are being harvested from fields even after Rosh Hashanah, especially in southern Israel. Immediately after Rosh Hashanah, a new wave of dry onions from Shemitah harvest begins entering the market. However, in warehouses, there is significant inventory from the sixth year harvest until the months of Kislev-Tevet.

Kiwi – Months of Elul-Kislev. There are varieties that ripen in Elul and varieties that ripen in Kislev.

Clementines – Already applies from the month of Elul. Different varieties are kept refrigerated for months, but during summer they are not found in the market at all. New varieties have higher percentages of Orlah (forbidden fruit from new trees), so caution is needed.

Mandarins – Already applies from the month of Elul. Different varieties from the sixth year harvest are kept refrigerated until early summer. During summer months, they are not found in the market.

Lemons – Month of Adar. Found in the market almost all year round, and from the month of Adar may appear from Shemitah blossoming. There is also concern for Orlah in the fourth year, since the blossoming was before Tu B'Shvat, which is considered from the third year and is Orlah.

Persian Limes – All imported from abroad, with no concern for Shemitah.

Fava Beans (pods) – Month of Tishrei, although not available in the market until Kislev.

Poppy Seeds – Legally forbidden to grow in Israel. All imported from abroad without concern for Shemitah.

Dry Garlic – Month of Adar until the month of Adar. All dry garlic in the market is from the sixth year harvest and has no concern for Shemitah.

Tomatoes, Cucumbers, including Pickled Cucumbers – Already applies from Rosh Hashanah. Tomatoes are found in the market all year round from different climatic regions in Israel. Before the Shemitah year, huge quantities of tomato paste were prepared under Badatz supervision for industry and consumer markets.

Note: a. The above list is only for general information, but in practice, one should buy fruits and vegetables only in stores supervised according to Halacha regarding Shemitah matters, in addition to the constant obligation every year for continuous supervision regarding Orlah prohibition and Tevel (untithed produce). b. The above timetable refers only to fresh, whole, and natural fruits and vegetables (unless otherwise specified). If dealing with processed, industrial, ground products, etc., there is also concern for counterfeits and additions in items that have Shemitah concerns, and one should be careful to buy only with known and authorized kosher certification.

Rabbi Shai Amar is a rabbi in the Halacha Department of Hidabroot

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