Around the Jewish Year

Parashat Bechukotai: Two Types of Ma'aserot in Jerusalem

Ahead of Jerusalem Day, we'll discuss ma'aserot brought to Jerusalem: ma'aser sheni and ma'aser behema, and find the difference between them. We will also...

The Bikkurim Festival at Agricultural Settlements in the Early Zionist Period

On the "bikkurim" festivities in the early Zionist period in kibbutzim and moshavim. When the farmers called fruit "bikkurim," did this confer to the fruit a...

Laws governing birkat ha'ilanot

Shevat at Torah VeHa'aretz Institute

Pesticide Traces in Etrogim

Etrogim must be edible to be fit for use in the arba minim. Every year, the issue of pesticide traces arises, putting into question if it is, in fact, edible...

Grafted and Hybrid Etrogim

What is a grafted etrog? About the problem specifically in grafted etrogim, the rationale for the prohibition against kila'im, the definition of a pure etrog,...

The superiority of taking an Israeli etrog

Is it preferable to use an etrog that grew in Israel even though taking the arba minim isn't a land-dependent mitzvah?

Pesach: Oat and Rye Matzah

In recent years, bakeries started selling matzah from various types of flour, such as oats and rye. On wheat matzah vs. matzah from other grains: do they have...

Pesach: matzah and marror not delivered to levi and poor

If someone buys matzah and lettuce, which the owner named the ma'aserot but may have not delivered the ma'aserot to the appropriate destinations (ma'aser rishon...

Pesach: Maror on Leil HaSeder

This article covers various halachic issues related to eating lettuce as maror on Seder night. Eating maror on Seder night: five practical questions and...