What is the Mitzvah of Biur Shevi’is?

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 23, 2016 (the fifteenth of Iyar 5776) and for lemons and oranges is July 7, 2016 (the first of Tammuz 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 (see https://oukosher.org/blog/consumer-kosher/separating-terumah-and-maaser/).

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.