Page 12 - HaMizrachi Australia Sukkot 5781

HALACHA

Operating the Kitchen During

Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon

ome people are afraid of Shem- consumption, they may be thrown All the leftovers of a cholent that
itta sanctity in the kitchen. But into an ordinary garbage can. Before included Shemitta potatoes and the
we must remember that it is a each meal, a paper towel or newspa- like are considered to have Shemitta
Sgreat privilege to eat Shemitta per should be placed in the receptacle status. Here, too, put all the bits in the
produce after thousands of years of separating the old leftovers from the bag and throw them in the trash. In
exile, when our ancestors could only new leftovers. When desired, tie the these cases of soup, broth, etc., the bag
dream of doing so. We will now learn bag and throw it in the trash. can be thrown directly in the garbage
the rules of dealing with Shemitta pro- because, in a few hours, these leftovers
duce, and see that it is not complicated. Which leftovers need to be are spoiled anyway. In any case, do not
Shemitta sanctity this year applies to separated into a Shemitta mix liquid residue with dry residue,
as the liquid residue will immediately
Otzar Beit Din produce (vegetables, from receptacle or bagged? destroy the dry residue.
the beginning of the year; fruits, after
a few months) and to produce from Generally speaking, one can discard Residue that is washed off in the
one’s private garden. leftovers that are unfit to be eaten sink: It is permissible to wash Shemitta
by throwing them into an ordinary residue that is stuck on a pot or plate
What must be done with garbage can. The prohibition against as usual.
destroying Shemitta produce applies
trimming and leftovers? only to leftovers still fit for human or Using Shemitta produce unusually:

The Gemara in Pesachim (52b) states: animal consumption. In addition to preserving Shemitta
leftovers, one may not divert Shemitta
“The Torah said: ‘The Sabbath pro- Salad leftovers: You can take the produce from its natural use. However,
duce of the land shall be food for you’ whole salad and put it in a bag des- it is permissible to perform everyday
(Vayikra 25:6) – for food, but not for ignated for Shemitta sanctity. There is and typical actions. Therefore, it is
destruction.” no need to separate the Shemitta veg- acceptable to cook, squeeze or crush

We learn from here that one is permit- etables from the ordinary vegetables any fruit or vegetable that most people
ted to eat Shemitta produce but not to in the salad. usually cook, squeeze or crush.
destroy or waste it. Therefore, Shem- Peels: Non-edible peels, such as an Recently, there has been a significant
itta produce can not be thrown in the empty banana peel, can be thrown change. Since the previous Shemitta,
garbage. This teaches us an important in the trash. However, edible peels, making fruit and even vegetable
lesson – we must only take what we such as peels of potatoes, carrots, ‘smoothies’ has become commonplace.
are able and need to eat, not all that apples or pits of fruit with edible fruit Seven years ago, if someone had asked
our eyes desire. attached, should be placed in a Shem- me if they were allowed to put lettuce
One should try to eat as much of the itta receptacle. in a blender, I would have been sur-
Shemitta produce as possible and thus Soup and cholent leftovers: When prised. Today, however, “green drinks”
minimize leftovers. What then should it comes to vegetable soup, the liquid are widespread in many
be done with the trimmings and left- also acquires the Shemitta status places, so one is allowed to
overs that remain? (except for water in which potatoes mash lettuce in a blender
were cooked, as the taste did not even when it is Shemitta pro-
According to halachah, all the leftovers duce and this is not considered
can be placed in a bag within a garbage improve the water). Some people find a change from everyday use.
can. it easier to leave the soup out of the
fridge overnight, after which its taste
Another option for such leftovers is considered “damaged,” and thus, Summary
is to set aside a special receptacle the soup can be thrown in the trash Operating a
for produce with Shemitta sanctity, as usual. Nowadays, however, there kitchen during
A member of which should be marked “Shemitta is no need for this solution, as we can Shemitta does
the Mizrachi sanctity.” Shemitta leftovers should easily buy airtight plastic bags. The not require much effort.
Speakers Bureau be emptied into this receptacle and best thing is to put the liquid residue There are a few basic prin-
mizrachi.org/ allowed to remain there until they rot. in an airtight bag and then put it in ciples to keep in mind:
speakers Once they are no longer fit for human the regular trash can.

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