Questions tagged [agriculture]

Questions pertaining to the subject of agriculture

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How do you maximize your aravot's period of freshness?

Every Sukkot any aravot that I start the holiday with tend to get dried up by the end of the holiday, if not to the point of being unfit for service, at least enough to be ugly. What do you do to ...
Isaac Moses's user avatar
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22 votes
9 answers
1k views

G'dolim or Rabbis Owning Pets

Are there any g'dolim (or rabbis of major influence) - past or present - who are known to have owned pets/kept animals for non-agricultural purposes?
WAF's user avatar
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21 votes
3 answers
786 views

How did plants survive the Mabul?

Inspired by this answer: As far as I can tell, there is no mention of Noach bringing plants into the ark. Moreover, it appears Noach had nothing to do with the survival of the plants, given that the ...
yydl's user avatar
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19 votes
1 answer
499 views

Mushrooms in a Vineyard

The bracha on a mushroom is "shehakol" because the Talmud (Berachot 40b) correctly (I think) states that mushrooms do not derive their nutrients from the ground. If a mushroom is growing in a ...
Double AA's user avatar
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16 votes
2 answers
1k views

Where are the magic cucumbers discussed in the Talmud?

Where are the magic cucumbers discussed in the Gemara by a Rabbi proud of his knowledge? Are magic cucumbers discussed elsewhere? Thanks.
Larry K's user avatar
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16 votes
2 answers
2k views

How do Etrogs grow, pitom-up, or pitom-down?

I've done a bit of research here, but I still have some questions. To start with, for anyone who isn't familiar with this, we can't say the brucha for lulav & etrog after completing the mitzvah, ...
zaq's user avatar
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13 votes
2 answers
832 views

Why a burning bush?

When G-d wanted to speak to Moshe for the first time, He grabbed Moshe's attention by showing him a burning bush that wasn't being consumed by the fire. But why this? From all the possible things to ...
Gabriel12's user avatar
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12 votes
8 answers
845 views

Why "Hamotzi Lechem" instead of "Hamotzi Chitah"?

A bread question in time for Pesach! The words to the blessing over bread are: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹקינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, הַמּוֹצִיא לֶחֶם מִן הָאָרֶץ which ends with "...who brings forth ...
Jake's user avatar
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12 votes
4 answers
968 views

Plants before the Sun in the Order of Creation

Why does plant life precede the Sun in the order of creation given that plants need the Sun to do photosynthesis?
הראל's user avatar
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12 votes
3 answers
231 views

Can you use algae, water plants (e.g. water lillies), hydroponics or fungi for schach?

My understanding is that schach must be from a plant that specifically grows from the ground. If this is not so, would there be any problems using: algae / seaweed / water lilies / swamp scum - these ...
DanF's user avatar
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11 votes
1 answer
2k views

How to grow your own aravos

On Sukkos, Jews are commanded to take the four species, among them the "ערבי נחל" or "willow branches," commonly referred to as ערבות aravos. How might one go about growing them himself, at home? (I ...
MTL's user avatar
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11 votes
3 answers
542 views

Animals vs. plants: kashrus

Why did God make all plants, but only some animals, kosher? Sources, please.
msh210's user avatar
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11 votes
1 answer
105 views

What resources can help me understand agriculture for Zeraim?

I am studying Mishnayot from Seder Zeraim and I am often having difficulties because I have no idea how agriculture worked in the days of the Second Temple (or even today). Are there any good ...
Daniel Kagan's user avatar
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11 votes
1 answer
619 views

Are plants that exhibit rapid plant movement considered non-Kosher animals?

There is a question here asking if sea sponges are Kosher. The answers seem to center around the idea that regardless of if they have animal cells, a halachic classification might depend on how it ...
A L's user avatar
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10 votes
2 answers
3k views

Ripping out a blade of grass by a funeral?

At my great-uncle's funeral today, all of the participants (except the mourners) were told to rip out a blade of grass and say a passuk (I don't remember which). Is this a Jewish minhag? If so, what ...
MTL's user avatar
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10 votes
4 answers
251 views

Why do we put out greenery on Shavuos?

Those that have the Minhag to put out greenery in the Shul on Shavuos, why do we do it?
Gershon Gold's user avatar
10 votes
3 answers
2k views

Halachic status of kamut

Khorasan wheat, often known by one popular brand name thereof, KAMUT®, is an ancient grain that is related to modern-day wheat, but has a number of differences. Does it have the halachic status of ...
Dave's user avatar
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10 votes
1 answer
664 views

Which modern-day fruits require Shehechiyanu?

According to my understanding (and please, correct me if I'm wrong), the Bracha of Shehechiyanu (שהחינו) on fruits [and some vegetables?] is recited the first time one partakes of a particular ...
yydl's user avatar
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9 votes
1 answer
713 views

Is it still prohibited to raise sheep/goats in Eretz Yisrael?

The Mishnah (Bava Kama 7) explicitly prohibits Jews from raising sheep and goats in Israel. This is echoed in Rambam. However, in modern-day Israel, many frum Jews raise sheep and goats (especially in ...
Ben's user avatar
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9 votes
1 answer
269 views

How do I determine kashrut status of fresh produce from Israel?

Fresh produce from Israel has all sorts of halachic concerns: Orla, Shemittah, Terumot and Maasrot. Periodically, I come across fresh fruit imported from Israel. I generally avoid buying it, but I'd ...
Isaac Betesh's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
131 views

"Planting" astroturf during shmita

I previously asked about Planting grass during shmita, and discovered that it is forbidden. But what about astroturf (synthetic grass)? Would there be any problem with installing that during the ...
Scimonster's user avatar
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8 votes
1 answer
763 views

Kilayim in Chutz la'eretz

What is the din with regards to kilei hayerek in chutz la'eretz? I see that many people have gardens in their backyards with vegetables right next to each other of different types.
Mkroll's user avatar
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8 votes
2 answers
330 views

Does kashrut depend on peah, leket, etc?

I understand that if a crop in the Land of Israel does not have the trumot and maaserot properly separated, then the produce is tevel and cannot be eaten (until it is done). But that made me think of ...
Premundane's user avatar
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8 votes
1 answer
178 views

Hadas at weddings and Brit Milah

Why do Sefardim place Hadas by the Huppah and Kise Eliyahu by weddings and brit milah respectively?
Rabbi Michael Tzadok's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
168 views

What bracha would the fruit of a parasitic plant be? (Or the plant itself.)

Parasitic plants do not grow in the ground, instead they grow on other plants. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasitic_plant List of examples: http://www.parasiticplants.siu.edu/ParasiteFood.html ...
Ariel's user avatar
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8 votes
1 answer
88 views

How do you inspect a field for graves?

The Gemara (Bab. Nazir 65) discusses some circumstances in which one must inspect a field for graves. How is this done? Do you dig up the earth to a certain depth? Do you dig a trench? Do you dig ...
Seth J's user avatar
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7 votes
1 answer
531 views

May one "use the facilities" outdoors on shabbat?

May one urinate on the lawn on shabbat, or is that forbidden the same way that watering it is forbidden? What about defecation? Feces may or may not contain nutrients that are beneficial to the soil ...
Adam Mosheh's user avatar
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7 votes
2 answers
212 views

Obtaining the 7 Species in the U.S

Often on T"u BiSh'vat people like to eat members of the shiv'as haminim - the Seven Species by which the Land of Israel is praised. Some of them, such as grapes and dates, are easy enough to come ...
WAF's user avatar
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7 votes
1 answer
343 views

(How) Are these aravos kosher?

According to my understanding of Shulchan Aruch OC 647:1, the edges of the leaves of the aravos should not have serrated edges, but should rather be smooth: עַרְבֵי נַחַל הָאָמוּר בַּתּוֹרָה [...] ...
MTL's user avatar
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7 votes
3 answers
423 views

Orla: are the leaves of the plant included in the prohibition?

I have recently planted a grape vine. The nursery insists that it is at least 1 year old (and the size of the plant suggests no less than 2 years old). It was planted with it's roots entirely ...
Justin Alexander's user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
1k views

Why is bamboo kosher for schach?

Why is bamboo kosher for schach? I know everyone uses them, but one should not use anything like planed wood which is used for building or straw for thatching roofs. I understand that certain bamboo ...
5780's user avatar
  • 365
7 votes
1 answer
79 views

Why can't a minor's rights to eat while harvesting crops be waived?

The Torah grants workers who are harvesting a field to consume some of it while on the job. The Mishna in Bava Metzia (7:6) points out that a worker can waive his Biblically-granted rights, and make ...
Shalom's user avatar
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7 votes
1 answer
48 views

Why are there three different lists of ownerless produce?

The Mishna (Demay 1:1) gives a list of different types of produce exempt from demay. In Ma'asrot 5:8 and in Shevi'it 9:1, there are two more distinct lists of things that are exempt from ma'aser and ...
b a's user avatar
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7 votes
3 answers
1k views

Does Rooibos tea need a hechsher?

Unlike regular tea, which is from the plant Camellia sinensis, rooibos tea is derived from the plant Aspalathus linearis. I've checked CRC and Star-K and their tea-specific articles don't mention ...
JoshPactor's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
291 views

Can one test God with Shmita?

In Vayikra 25: 20-22 (below) God says that he will guarantee a bountiful harvest if the Shmita is observed. Unlike other promises of spiritual reward, this one is easily quantifiable with observable ...
Clint Eastwood's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
341 views

Why aren't peas mentioned in the Tanach/Talmud?

Or if my premise is wrong, please correct me? Guns, Germs, & Steel talks about early domesticated crops of the Fertile Crescent. No surprise that he quickly mentions wheat, barley, olives, dates, ...
Shalom's user avatar
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6 votes
3 answers
11k views

Is a bottle or jug of 100% pure maple syrup kosher without certification?

There are several farmers' markets scattered around the New York City area. Many of them carry bottles or jugs of 100% NY State or Vermont maple syrup. Occasionally I find Canadian maple syrup. (For ...
DanF's user avatar
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6 votes
1 answer
1k views

What bracha should be made on hydroponics/aeroponics?

Hydroponics is a method of growing food (mainly vegetables) with their roots in water, not soil. Aeroponics is when it is grown in air, with the roots being sprayed. What bracha should be made on ...
Scimonster's user avatar
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6 votes
1 answer
247 views

Chanukah Bushes?

Every year, I hear people (typically heterodox or jokers) talking about "Chanukah bushes" (likely a parallel to Christmas trees). Now, beyond the obvious of this not being a traditional practice, ...
Noach MiFrankfurt's user avatar
6 votes
3 answers
738 views

Why don't we distribute Ma'aser Rishon or Ma'aser 'Ani nowadays?

Produce grown in the Land of Israel has to have Teruma, two of three different kinds of Ma'aser, and Terumat Ma'aser removed, as described in this OU Kosher article. Of these five separations, three - ...
Isaac Moses's user avatar
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6 votes
2 answers
275 views

Peah on a circular field

If a farmer's field was perfectly circular and had no corners, how would peah be designated? Would it be exempt from peah? Would he designate the outer ring as peah?
Premundane's user avatar
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6 votes
1 answer
305 views

When is one allowed to eat a fruit from Eretz Yisroel without giving trumah?

When is one allowed to eat a fruit from Eretz Yisroel without giving trumah? When I was in Israel we picked pomegranates directly off the trees and eat them. I was told this was okay because it had ...
shachna's user avatar
  • 1,105
6 votes
1 answer
127 views

How to collect Bikurim practically?

So we know that Bikurim was collected by tying a reed to the first fruit of a particular field when it would be found budding. We also know that Chazal say to give one 60th of one's produce as ...
chaimp's user avatar
  • 2,171
6 votes
0 answers
60 views

Why do we specifically recall the greenery of Har Sinai on Shavuos?

While there are several reasons why there is a custom to spread greenery in shul, one which is brought by the Mishnah Berurah (494:10) is that Har Sinai was covered with greenery. Why is it ...
DonielF's user avatar
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6 votes
0 answers
47 views

What happens at a third of the growth of produce?

In yesterday's Daf Yomi - Menachot 71a - and other places(*) in various Mishnayoth, there's mention of a cut-off date of 1/3 of the growth of produce - עַד שֶׁלֹּא הֵבִיאָה שְׁלִישׁ‏ From Rashi it ...
Danny Schoemann's user avatar
5 votes
4 answers
397 views

Why did Noach plant a vineyard?

The first mention the torah makes of wine and vineyards is in Gen 9:20-21, when Noach plants a vineyard and then gets drunk on wine after the flood. What prompted him to plant a vineyard as, ...
Monica Cellio's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
518 views

Who named trees and plants?

Following questions about naming animals, in Genesis narrative, God creates Earth, it grows plants and trees, God creates animals, then man, man names animals. Who named the plants, for example, the 7 ...
Al Berko's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
154 views

In what way are hybrid plants/trees prohibited?

The source in Torah is from vayikra ch 19 verse 19 You shall observe My statutes: You shall not crossbreed your livestock with different species. You shall not sow your field with a mixture of seeds, ...
Dude's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
165 views

Are there any halachic issues with cut flowers grown in Israel?

Produce grown in Israel is subject to many additional agricultural laws (shemita, terumah, maaser, etc.). Thus occasionally there are alerts about bell peppers, etc. for sale in American supermarkets ...
Shalom's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
164 views

What is the אדר plant, according to Rashi?

A friend of mine (Hi, Yoel!) pointed out a possible discrepancy in Rashi's comments on the Talmud. On Beitzah 15b, Rashi opines (sv ופירותיה משתמרין) that אדר is a grass (עשב), against the more ...
MTL's user avatar
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