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16 Iyar 5761 - May 9, 2001 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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NEWS
Vegetables from the Aravah
by Rabbi Shlomo Shmulevitz

As of last week, the following vegetables from the northern part of the Aravah, which the poskim say is sofeik Eretz Yisroel, were still in the markets, some even under the hechsher of vaadot shmittah: peppers (all kinds), watermelons, melons, eggplants and potatoes.

The following are coming from the southern part of the Aravah, which according to all opinions is considered chutz la'aretz: watermelons, sweet potatoes, eggplants, red onions, white onions ("dry onions"), red pepper and potatoes. This produce does not have kedushas shevi'is.

According to the reports of the Ministry of Agriculture, no produce is expected to arrive on the markets from the Aravah after June 15 (24 Sivan). Observers say that one should allow about an extra week after this date to be sure, but this means that by the beginning of Tammuz there should be no fresh produce from the northern Aravah on the markets.

At the request of MK Rabbi Avrohom Ravitz, the Finance Minister has agreed to extend the exemption for customs duties that has been granted to produce until the end of the shmittah year. At the beginning of the year, former Finance Minister Shochat agreed to allow an exemption for six months, citing the shortages caused by the Intifadah. Now Finance Minister Sylvan Shalom has extended this arrangement until the end of the year.

 

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