Purchasing Israeli Clementines During Shemittah
In light of the recent shemitah year, may I purchase Israeli clementines that are currently sold at Costco (Spring 2016)?
(A consumer’s question)
If one relies on the Heter Mechira, the clementines do not have a shemitah status and they can be eaten after separation of Terumah and Maaser.
If one does not rely on the Heter Mechira, there are possible concerns associated with buying fruit with shemitah status. If one did purchase the clementines, one must separate Terumah and Maaser, as noted in the previous Halacha Yomis. In addition, the fruit has kedushas shevi’is (the sanctity of shemitah). Fruit that has kedushas shevi’is may not be purchased with cash, but may be purchased by credit card. The fruit may not be wasted, and any leftovers, including the peel, must be collected and placed in a safe place until it rots. The fruit must be eaten in the normal manner (for example, since it is normal to eat clementines raw, they may not be cooked.) There is also a requirement of biur that will take place if any clementines remain in one’s possession on or after May 23rd (the fifteenth of Iyar). The mitzvah of biur will be discussed further in the next Halacha Yomis.
The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt”l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.