3,233. Tithing Vegetables

Terumos 2:6

Even though vegetables are eaten by people, the obligation to tithe them is rabbinic rather than Biblical. Regarding tithes, Deuteronomy 14:22 uses the word “tevuah,” which refers to grain and similar crops, but not vegetables. The Rambam opines that the same applies to terumah, regarding which the Torah says “your grain, your wine and your oil.” We see that the obligation applies to all species that are comparable to these things, but taking terumah from vegetables is a rabbinic enactment, just like taking maaser from vegetables.

Terumos 2:7

We don’t take terumos and maaseros from vegetables outside of Israel, not even in locales where they instituted to tithe produce. The same is true of vegetables brought into Israel from other lands - these are exempt from tithes even if there’s soil in their roots (meaning that they may be replanted in Israel); nothing was enacted regarding them. If grain or legumes were planted for their vegetables, one’s intention is irrelevant in light of the predominant practice. Accordingly, their vegetables are exempt but one must take terumos and maaseros from their grain.