Re-starting the Orla count

Hi,

We are required to abandon the fruit of a tree's first three years, neither eating it nor benefiting it; this is the law of Orla. [See Vayikra 19:23.]

If a tree is uprooted, but it retains a root ball encased in earth - and this earth could keep it alive if it were placed in a hole such that it would not lose its moisutre - then the orla count does not re-start.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Yoreh Deah 1:185)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Arlah for a transplanted or re-grown tree

Hi,

We have said that benefit from the fruit of a tree's first three years is prohibited. If a person transplants a tree, the three-year count re-starts.

If a tree is chopped down, but some piece of the trunk remains above the ground and the tree re-grows from that spot, the three-year count does not re-start.

(Code of Jewish Law Yoreh Deah 294:16, 18)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Planting seeds from Arlah fruit

Hi,

We have said that benefit from the fruit of a tree's first three years is prohibited. The prohibition includes planting that tree's fruit, intending to grow a new plant from its seeds.

However, a tree that grows from such planting is permitted. The new tree did not grow exclusively from the forbidden fruit's seed - it also received nourishment from the external environment.

(Code of Jewish Law Yoreh Deah 294:12; Shach Yoreh Deah 294:24)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Possible Arlah

Hi,

One who has an Israeli fruit that might be arlah (from the tree's first three years), must assume it is from those years and is prohibited. One need not make such an assumption regarding non-Israeli fruit, though.

(Code of Jewish Law Yoreh Deah 294:9; see Shach Yoreh Deah 294:19)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Calculating the three years of Arlah

Hi,

For the purposes of Arlah, 3 years does not mean 1095 days. Rather, if a tree is planted 44+ days before Rosh haShanah, those 44 days count as 1 year, and then Year 2 begins with Rosh haShanah, and Year 3 begins with the following Rosh haShanah.

To give an example:
If I plant more than 44 days before Rosh haShanah 2009, then the 3 year count ends with Rosh haShanah 2011.
However - any fruit which begins to grow between Rosh haShanah of 2011 and the following Tu BiShvat is also prohibited.

(Code of Jewish Law Yoreh Deah 294:4-5)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Using arlah fruit after the three years are over

Hi,

The fruit of a tree's first three years is forbidden, under the law of Arlah.

The Arlah prohibition extends even after the three years, meaning that one may not simply preserve the fruit until after the 3-year mark, and then use it.

(Shach Yoreh Deah 294:1)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The prohibition of Arlah

Hi,

One may not benefit from the fruit which grows on a tree during the tree's first three years. This law is called Arlah.

This prohibition applies to use of the fruit itself, as well as its seeds, shells, blossoms and skins. However, one may use the branches and leaves of the tree.

(Code of Jewish Law Yoreh Deah 294:1-2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai