Buying Israeli Carrots after a Shmita Year

May I presently buy Israeli carrots after the recent Shmita year?

(A consumer’s question)

Israeli carrots currently being sold in the U.S. (May 2016) at this point can be assumed to no longer be peiros shevi’is and may be purchased lichatchila. In fact, purchasing Israeli products is commendable as it benefits the Israeli economy. However, if the carrots do not have a reliable kosher certification, one must separate the relevant tithes (Terumos and Ma’aseros). This year is the first year of the shemita cycle. This means that ma’aser sheini must be separated. The ma’aser sheini portion can be redeemed by transferring its kedusha (elevated status) to a coin. Even a nickel may be used, provided the ma’aser sheini portion (approximately 9% of the package of carrots) is worth more than a peruta, approximately 3 or 4 cents.

For the procedure to separate Terumah and Maaser, 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.