Page 18 - HaMizrachi #33 Sukkot 2021 USA

Operating the Kitchen During

Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon

ome people are afraid of Shem- into this receptacle and allowed to solution, as we can easily buy airtight
itta sanctity in the kitchen. But remain there until they rot. Once they plastic bags. The best thing is to put
we must remember that it is a are no longer fit for human consump- the liquid residue in an airtight bag
Sgreat privilege to eat Shemitta tion, they may be thrown into an ordi- and then put it in the regular trash can.
produce after thousands of years of nary garbage can. Before each meal, a All the leftovers of a cholent that
exile, when our ancestors could only paper towel or newspaper should be included Shemitta potatoes and the
dream of doing so. We will now learn placed in the receptacle separating the like are considered to have Shemitta
the rules of dealing with Shemitta pro- old leftovers from the new leftovers. status. Here, too, put all the bits in the
duce, and see that it is not complicated. When desired, tie the bag and throw bag and throw them in the trash. In
it in the trash.
Shemitta sanctity this year applies to these cases of soup, broth, etc., the bag
Otzar Beit Din produce (vegetables, from can be thrown directly in the garbage
the beginning of the year; fruits, after a Which leftovers need to be because, in a few hours, these leftovers
few months) and to produce from one’s separated into a Shemitta are spoiled anyway. In any case, do not
private garden. receptacle or bagged? mix liquid residue with dry residue,
as the liquid residue will immediately
What must be done with Generally speaking, one can discard destroy the dry residue.
leftovers that are unfit to be eaten
trimming and leftovers? by throwing them into an ordinary Residue that is washed off in the sink:
The Gemara in Pesachim (52b) states: garbage can. The prohibition against It is permissible to wash Shemitta res-
idue that is stuck on a pot or plate as
“The Torah said: ‘The Sabbath pro- destroying Shemitta produce applies usual.
duce of the land shall be food for you’ only to leftovers still fit for human or
(Vayikra 25:6) – for food, but not for animal consumption. Using Shemitta produce unusually:
destruction.” Salad leftovers: You can take the whole In addition to preserving Shemitta
leftovers, one may not divert Shemitta
We learn from here that one is permit- salad and put it in a bag designated for produce from its natural use. However,
ted to eat Shemitta produce but not to Shemitta sanctity. There is no need to it is permissible to perform everyday
destroy or waste it. Therefore, Shem- separate the Shemitta vegetables from and typical actions. Therefore, it is
itta produce can not be thrown in the the ordinary vegetables in the salad. acceptable to cook, squeeze or crush
garbage. This teaches us an important Peels: Non-edible peels, such as an any fruit or vegetable that most people
lesson – we must only take what we empty banana peel, can be thrown usually cook, squeeze or crush.
are able and need to eat, not all that in the trash. However, edible peels,
our eyes desire. such as peels of potatoes, carrots, Recently, there has been a significant
apples or pits of fruit with edible fruit change. Since the previous Shemitta,
One should try to eat as much of the making fruit and even vegetable
Shemitta produce as possible and thus attached, should be placed in a Shemitta ‘smoothies’ has become commonplace.
minimize leftovers. What then should receptacle. Seven years ago, if someone had asked
be done with the trimmings and left- Soup and cholent leftovers: When it me if they were allowed to put lettuce
overs that remain? comes to vegetable soup, the liquid also in a blender, I would have
acquires the Shemitta status (except for been surprised. Today, how-
According to halachah, all the leftovers water in which potatoes were cooked,
can be placed in a bag within a garbage ever, “green drinks” are wide-
can. as the taste did not improve the water). spread in many places, so one
Some people find it easier to leave is allowed to mash lettuce in a
Another option for such leftovers is the soup out of the fridge overnight, blender even when it is Shem-
A member of
the Mizrachi to set aside a special receptacle for after which its taste is considered itta produce and this
Speakers Bureau produce with Shemitta sanctity, which “damaged,” and thus, the soup can be is not considered a
mizrachi.org/ should be marked “Shemitta sanctity.” thrown in the trash as usual. Nowa- change from every-
speakers Shemitta leftovers should be emptied days, however, there is no need for this day use.

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