OU KASHRUT BY RABBI EZRA FRIEDMAN PAGE Director, The Gustave & Carol Jacobs Center for Kashrut Education

necessity. The Yerushalmi ( Tevel: Benefit 5:7) explains that a situation of “necessity” refers to the case of someone who has a and Sale mixture of mostly tithed and some non- tithed produce. In such a situation, it is evel refers to produce and grain impossible to distinguish between the which has not had non-tithed produce and the tithed. Due Tand maasrot separated from it. to the tevel found in the mixture, one is Our Sages were extremely stringent still obligated to separate terumot and regarding its use and therefore added maasrot. However, one unknowingly various other prohibitions in addition to may separate from the produce that the prohibition of consumption. was previously tithed, leaving the issue Rabbinic prohibitions include not of tevel unresolved. Due to this complex feeding tevel to one’s animal (Rambam situation, our Sages allowed for the sale Maaser 13:15) and not giving tevel of (other) tevel to the person with the to a non-Jew for consumption, even problematic mixture in order to enable though the non-Jew has no obligation him to clearly separate terumot and regarding this mitzvah (Tosfot maasrot, thereby permitting the use of 17:B). In addition, it is prohibited to the entire quantity of produce. (This fulfill any mitzvah using tevel, such as is accomplished by joining the bought using an etrog for the four species or tevel with the problematic mixture to eating matzah on Pesach from which make them one entity, and then separate terumot and maasrot were not taken terumot and maasrot from the bought- (see Kedushat Haaretz 4:17 and Rambam tevel produce.) Chametz Umatzah 6:6).

What is the law regarding the sale of Even in a case where there is tevel? The Mishna (earliest Talmudic literature) in Demai (5:8) states: no such concern, our Sages “…one may not sell non-tithed produce did not differentiate between except in the case of necessity.” various situations, but rather, Based on the Mishna, the sale of tevel they made a blanket decree is prohibited other than in a case of

34 TORAH TIDBITS / VA'ETCHANAN 5780 The OU Israel Gustave & Carol Jacobs Center for Kashrut Education was created to raise awareness and educate the public in all areas of Kashrut in Israel. Rabbi Ezra Friedman, a Rabbinic Field Representative for the OU is the Center's director.

Aside from the specific exception 66), even if the seller were to inform above, the sale of tevel is prohibited. potential purchasers that the produce Moreover, if tevel is sold to a buyer who being sold is tevel, the sale would still be will definitely not separate terumot prohibited. Halachic authorities go as far and maasrot, the seller is directly as to say that even giving tevel as a gift causing the buyer to sin (see Kedushat and informing the receiver that the fruit Haretz 4:22). A practical application is is tevel is prohibited (see Shulchan Aruch regarding a kashrut certification for a YD 331:117 and Kedushat Haaretz 4:26). supermarket that plans to sell certain tevel products. Certification should There are two different reasons given not be given to such an establishment. against the sale of tevel. According to According to later authorities (Chazon some opinions (Tosfot Yom Tov Demai Ish Demai 6:10 Derech Emuna, Maaser 5:8, Torat Ha’aretz 2:36), the basis for

OU ISRAEL CENTER 35 this ruling is out of concern that the seller to cast away his Torah obligation of buyer will in fact not take terumot separating terumot and maasrot. and maasrot. Even in a case where However, if the prohibition of selling there is no such concern, our Sages tevel is because of the potential sin of the did not differentiate between various buyer who will not separate tithes, then situations, but rather, they made a based on this logic, a buyer who does blanket decree. According to other separate terumot and maasrot should be halachic authorities (Chalat Lechem permitted to purchase tevel. 2:21), the prohibition of selling tevel is because of the seller’s wrongdoing. Rav (Derech Emuna, A farmer who grows produce has p.236) writes and brings proof that the an obligation to separate tithes as prohibition is only on the seller, not the determined by the Torah. However, buyer. He seems to conclude that one if the farmer sells his non-tithed is allowed to buy tevel. Rav Dov Lior produce, he has undermined the Torah also rules that there is no prohibition obligation of terumot and maasrot. to buy tevel, based on many sources When the buyer takes ownership of from Talmudic times which show that the tevel, it becomes his obligation to one may purchase from a person who separate terumot and maasrot, but only is known not to separate terumot and on a rabbinic level. Thus, by selling maasrot (see also Mevo Leterumot tevel, the farmer has negated the Torah Umaasrot 11:13). obligation that was only his to fulfill According to these poskim one is allowed (see Baba Metzia 88:B). to purchase from a market that is known to sell tevel. However, perhaps one should Perhaps one should still still refrain in order to avoid supporting refrain in order to avoid establishments that sell non-tithed produce. The issue should be discussed supporting establishments with one’s local orthodox rabbi. that sell non-tithed produce In conclusion, the sale of tevel is prohibited. However, the purchase of Is there also a prohibition to buy tevel? tevel is permissible as long as it can According to the Chalat Lechem, by be ensured that the buyer will indeed purchasing tevel, the buyer is enabling the separate terumot and maasrot.

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36 TORAH TIDBITS / VA'ETCHANAN 5780