Hundreds of participants, among them rabbonim, heads and
directors of kashrus networks, scientists, agronomists and
public figures participated in the 30th seminar of the
Institute for Agricultural Research According to the Torah
and the Academy of the Land and its Mitzvos. The seminar was
held about a month ago in the kibbutz Chofetz Chaim guest
house.
The two-day seminar was unusually successful. The many
participants attended fascinating shiurim and lectures
delivered by rabbonim as well as by lecturers and scientists
who are leaders in their fields.
The Institute and the Academy have held day long study
sessions and seminars for many years. They have become
central platforms for the discussion of halachic responses to
issues which have emerged as a result of the rapid
technological developments of our times. In addition,
lectures are sponsored throughout the country, as well as
other activities which serve to heighten awareness on the
topic of the laws of the land and its mitzvos. Knowledge of
many people in these topics has been significantly enhanced
as a result of the Institute's efforts.
A rich program was prepared for the 30th seminar, headed by
R' Eliokim Shlanger. Participants came from all over the
country to take part in the special seminar, which began on
Monday, rosh chodesh Shevat.
Opening greetings were delivered by the head of the Sorek
River Regional Council, Mr. Mordechai Hoenig, who supports
the Institute and the Academy. HaRav Shoul Reichenberg then
opened a series of lectures on the definition of the concept
"tree" as it pertains to blessings and to kilayim, as
well as the pertinence of these definitions to orla.
He also discussed the well-known argument over eggplants,
according to the Radbaz and Kaftor Vaferach, as well
as questions relating to papaya and peppers.
Director of the Institute, R' Ze'ev Zaks, lectured on the
counting of years in plant nurseries as pertaining to the
laws of orla, and to the preparation of seedlings for
the shmittah year. He displayed examples of various
problematic plants, and discussed the new species which are
being developed in Israel, and the various forms of cactus
plants which are being grown for consumption in the Negev.
Rav Aryeh Shoul, who is responsible for the supervision of
the nurseries, lectured on the method of growing plants in
nurseries in order to reduce the years of orla in the
fields.
Professor Eliezer Goldshmidt of the Weitzman Institute's
Department of Agriculture in Rechovot, which collaborates
with the Institute, opened the afternoon session. In a
fascinating discussion, he explained the concepts of genetic
engineering. He clarified how cells are removed and inserted
in animals and plants and focused on the many halachic
questions which emerge from this field. Dr. A. Maoz,
secretary of the Government Committee for Plants, spoke about
the technological and practical aspects of the use of
genetics in plants and about future plans in this area. He
also explained the overall process of genetic engineering and
its influences.
Professor Avrohom Steinberg of the Sha'arei Zedek Medical
Center presented the halachic and theoretical aspects of
genetic engineering, and the attitude of halachic authorities
to these developments. He noted the urgent need to study the
halachic aspect, due to the rapid developments in this
area.
The session was closed by HaRav Yosef Efrati, head of the
Halachic Department of the Institute. In the first part of
his lecture, he summarized some of the previous discussions
and presented them from a practical-halachic perspective, in
light of the halachic rulings of the posek hador,
Maran HaRav Yosef Sholom Eliashiv. He also focused on whether
the problem of hybrids arises when two different plants are
crossbred by technical-genetic means. He discussed this issue
at length, presenting the views of the Chazon Ish and R'
Shlomo Zalman Auerbach. He also explained the differences
between hybrids in animals and hybrids in seeds and
plants.
In the second part of this lecture, he discussed the question
of crossbreeding in poultry, and delineated all of the views
regarding the signs of kosher poultry in the masores,
citing the sources as well as the ramifications of cross-
breeding.
The evening session was devoted to the problem of
shatnez, and was opened by Dr. Yitzchok Shalev, a
textile advisor. In his lecture, Dr. Shalev said that today
it is quite difficult to identify fibers, since many fibers
resemble flax and wool. He also spoke about the proportions
between the fibers of the strand and in the whole garment, as
well as the problem of the volume-weight ratio. He then
stressed the unreliability of information on the labels
attached to garments.
Rav Moshe Stein, a member of the Rabbinical Committee for
Shatnez, focused on the reliability and expertise required of
those who check shatnez and the need to check every
single garment as opposed to relying on a general
examination. He noted the case of the 1500 rabbinical frocks
that recently arrived from abroad. Their inner buttons had
shatnez.
Rav Yisroel Neiman, director of the Shatnez Laboratory,
pointed to the need for personal experience in checking for
shatnez in order to know where it is necessary to
check.
The first day of discussions was concluded by Rav Ze'ev
Patshino, rav of the Chofetz Chaim kibbutz, who brought the
views of the rishonim regarding various types of
weaves (shua, tovui and noz), the differences
between them and the halocho according the more
stringent viewpoint of the Rambam.
The morning session of the second day was devoted to kashrus
problems and food additives. This series of lectures was
opened by Rav Yehuda Sharashevsky of the Maskil LeDovid
Institute for Kashrus. He spoke at length about problems of
animal and vegetable fat, the combining of oil and water, the
problem of gelatin and stabilizers, and a new type of gelatin
which is made from kosher fish.
Professor Meir Schwartz of Haifa University discussed water
recycling, "milk products" made of soy, home grown plants,
and innovations being planned for the forthcoming decade. Rav
Shmuel Troibe from the Belzer kashrus beis din
delivered a lecture on the various problems of steam in
factories and how to overcome them.
The afternoon session was devoted to the problem of interest.
HaRav Arye Dvir, head of the Institute for Economy According
to the Halocho and R' Ido Mark, director of the American
Israel Bank, discussed the concept of heter iska and
the new, binding improvements which have been instituted in
light of problems which had arisen with the banks.
He also discussed installment purchases, advance payments,
credit cards and overdrafts in banks, citing the opinion of
R' Shlomo Zalman Auerbach on the issue.
All of the seminar participants said that they had truly
broadened their horizons and enhanced their knowledge on the
many topics discussed. They praised the coordinators for the
outstanding program.
Throughout the seminar, halachic and professional
perspectives were clearly separated. All professional and
halachic conclusions will be presented to maranan
verabonon the gedolei haposkim for their rulings
and practical decisions.
