Shemittah

Sefichin

It is strictly prohibited to consume any produce that was planted or cultivated in Eretz Yisrael during the shemittah year. Our Sages call this transgression ne’evad, referring to food that has been “grown from work” and is prohibited. Our Sages added an additional decree that any produce that grew on its own during shemittah is also prohibited, as one might go ahead and plant or sow seeds, and then claim that these plants grew on their own. This decree is called issur sefichin, and includes vegetables, grains, legumes and certain herbs. Fruit trees are not included in the prohibition of sefichin. If sefichin produce was purposely grown, or if it self-seeded and grew on its own, our Sages included in the prohibition of sefichin that these plants must be uprooted, and the produce destroyed. If sefichin produce was accidently purchased and cooked, it raises a more sensitive issue, since the sefichin decree can also affect the utensils used in the cooking process. In such a situation one should consult with their Rav.

Biur

Shemittah fruits are for eating and are not to be preserved for subsequent years. When the produce from that type of food is no longer available in the fields, there is an obligation to observe the mitzvah of biur (eradication, relinquishing or declaring hefker). The laws pertaining to biur are somewhat complicated, and they differ for certain types of produce. In practice, for most consumers this obligation applies only to food products that last for a long time such as wine, oil or jams. The timing for biur also depends on the type of produce.

When the time comes for the biur, one should take out of his house the fruit left in his possession, bring three people and leave the fruit in front of them, and say:

“Our brothers Beit Yisrael: everyone who needs to take can come and take.” It is now free for the taking, and he himself or any of the others present may take possession of it. If one can’t take the fruit out of his house, he may bring three people into his house and make the food hefker in front of them. Even after biur has been done, the produce is still holy with kedushat shevi’it and the laws regarding holy produce still apply.

If biur was not performed at the correct time, a Rav should be consulted regarding the status of the produce and any utensils used in preparing or serving it.