[Avodah] Using Arbah Minim of Shviis

[Prof. L. Levine]

From

https://ohr.edu/this_week/insights_into_halacha/10877


This author recently received several similar sounding Shemitta sheilos regarding the purchasing of the Arbah Minim for this upcoming Sukkos, the year after Shemitta - when the Arbah Minim in and from Eretz Yisrael would be from Shemitta produce; yet, quite interestingly, the answers given were not the same.

  *   The first was from an American supplier of Arbah Minim for his city, who normally imported a large shipment of Israeli Esrogim et al. for Sukkos. He wanted to know if he may import his supply from Eretz Yisrael as usual.
  *   The second was from potential purchasers in Chutz La’aretz - who wanted to
  *   know if they may they buy their Arbah Minim from their usual supplier of superior Israeli ‘Schoirah.’
  *   A third query concerned bochurim returning home to Chutz La’aretz for Sukkos. Are they permitted to take along a mehudar Esrog for themselves and perhaps their father as well?
  *

Although all of these questions sound quite similar, the issues involved are actually quite complicated, and the halacha actually varies, due to several important factors.

Kedushas Sheviis Status

First of all, it is important to note that only two of the four Sukkos species have no debate ascertaining whether or not they contain Kedushas Sheviis status: the Esrog and the Aravah. Concerning the Esrog, as it is an edible and fragrant fruit, all agree that if it grew and was picked during Shemitta[1]<https://ohr.edu/10877#_edn1> it would have Kedushas Sheviis; whereas the Aravah, the exact opposite holds true, and all consider it not to have Kedushas Sheviis, as it has no other use than being used for the Mitzvah and is not edible nor fragrant. Yet, it turns out that both the Lulav and Hadass’ status vis a vis

Kedushas Sheviis is not so simple.


Regarding Hadassim, as they are fragrant, the issue seems dependent on whether their main use is for the Mitzvah on Sukkos, or for their fragrance, as in example, many use them for Besamim for Havdalah. Practically, it seems that as long as they are not actively being used for their fragrance and rather for Sukkos use, most contemporary authorities consider Hadassimnot to be Shemitta produce, and allow them be purchased as usual, as opposed to produce imbued with Kedushas Sheviis[2]<https://ohr.edu/10877#_edn2> (as explained in previous articles).[3]<https://ohr.edu/10877#_edn3>


See the above URL for a detailed discussion of these issues.


Professor Yitzchok Levine




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