HaRav Tzvi Weber, HaRav Tzvi Friedman and HaRav Eliezer
Halevi Dunner of the BaDaTz of Shearis Yisroel met recently
to deal with all issues of the shmitta year. In
conjunction with this, an Otzar Beis Din for shmitta
was set up on 4 Tishrei.
The founding charter of the Otzar Beis Din states: 27 Elul,
the eve of the shmitta year, we, the undersigned,
have assembled in order to form a beis din for
shmitta issues and to establish the Otzar Beis Din
for shmitta fruits and vegetables for the community's
needs. [Sources from Chazal, the rishonim and
acharonim about the issue of Otzar Beis Din are
cited.] . . . Halachic guidelines regarding work
permissible in the shmitta year will be conveyed to
the deputy of the beis din."
The beis din was established with the approval of the
Gavad, HaRav Chaim Shaul Karelitz. The charter is
signed by the members of the BaDaTz: HaRav Tzvi Weber, HaRav
Tzvi Friedman and HaRav Eliezer Halevi Dunner.
The members of the BaDaTz had met with HaRav Yosef Sholom
Eliashiv the previous week to discuss all questions
regarding the deputies and the Otzar Beis Din. Upon
publication of the provision regarding the actual practice
of making a pruzbol, seen by HaRav Eliashiv, many
avreichim and bnei Torah came to the homes of
members of the BaDaTz and to the Shearis Yisroel kashrus
network office in order to make a writ of pruzbol.
The rabbonim held a lengthy meeting with the suppliers of
fruit and vegetables to the bnei Torah community,
explaining the weightiness of their responsibly to abide by
all the laws of shmitta, as well as the meaning of
the agreement between the suppliers and the beis
din.
At the end of the meeting, the rabbonim said that they were
pleased with preparations made by the suppliers, who
promised to meet all requirements, especially regarding the
instructions of the kashrus supervision network. They also
promised to provide a steady supply of fruits and vegetables
to the sector which follows the guidelines of the Chazon Ish
regarding shmitta.
A letter by HaRav Yitzchok Shlomo Carlebach of the Tifrach
settlement in the Negev was published at the end of last
year. The letter says that HaRav Chaim Kanievsky told him:
"You can publicize this in my name: `The shmitta
committee of Shearis Yisroel makes great efforts to
strengthen religion and to execute all of the guidelines of
the Chazon Ish with all of its hiddurim and
dikdukim, and everything is directed and guided by
Maran HaGaon HaRav Yosef Sholom Eliashiv.'"
All logistical preparations for the supervision, inspection
and marketing of agricultural produce to all chareidi
centers throughout the country were completed before the end
of the year. All stores which will operate within the
framework of the Shearis Yisroel Shmitta Committee
have been granted kashrus certificates stating that
all fruits and vegetables in such stores are under the
supervision of the BaDaTz of Shearis Yisroel.
All fruits and vegetables supplied to the consumers will
contain one of the following designations: A)Produce that
has kedushas shevi'is including fruits of non-Jews or
of the Otzar Beis Din; B) Produce that has no kedushas
shevi'is including produce imported from abroad and
produce of the sixth year.
Weighing and packing proceeds as usual for those who have
signed the shtar shlichus. They will be able to pay
for the produce in cash. Consumers who have not signed the
shtar shlichus will be able to buy produce, but will
not be allowed to pay in cash nor to weigh the produce.
The kashrus network of Shearis Yisroel notes that in the
event of shortages, preference will be given to those who
have signed a shtar shlichus in advance.
In order to clarify the issue of the shtar shlichus
according to the Chazon Ish's method, the kashrus network
has published a special pamphlet detailing this important
issue. It explains how fruits and vegetables can be supplied
without any issurim due to shmitta even
according to the approach of the Chazon Ish that the produce
of non-Jews in Eretz Yisroel has kedushas Shevi'is.
The shtar shlichus was approved by all the gedolei
haTorah and gedolei haposkim.
