Faqs

Q. I recently was in Israel and was told not to eat certain fruits, as they were arlah. Is this something that we need to be concerned about here in America?

A. Fruits that grow in the first three years after a tree is planted are forbidden to eat and derive benefit from; this mitzvah is known as "arlah". [The exact determination of when those three years ends is somewhat complicated and beyond the scope of this article.] In Eretz Yisrael there are lists which provide information as to the arlah status of different fruits, and there are some fruits grown there that are essentially not eaten at all due to arlah concerns.

Typically, mitzvos that depend on the land are applicable only in the land of Israel, but arlah is an exception, as it applies worldwide - in a somewhat modified form. Outside of Eretz Yisrael, the only fruit which is forbidden are those which are definitely arlah. If there is any doubt as to whether a given fruit is arlah, then it may be eaten. Accordingly, even if a significant percentage of trees are arlah, once the fruit reaches the market, it is impossible to identify the specific arlah fruit; therefore, all of them are permitted. As a result, essentially the only fruits in chutz la'aretz which are subject to the prohibition of arlah are those that were grown in a home garden, where the owner knows which fruits are within their first three years.

The above leniency refers only to fruit that grew in chutz la'aretz. Fruit grown in Israel is subject to the full restrictions of arlah, even if one is unsure if the given fruit is arlah and even if that fruit was exported to chutz la'aretz.

(Rabbi Mordechai Millunchick - For more on this topic, see his sefer, Midarkai Ha'ilanos)