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Leviticus 19:23 - New fruit's sacred waiting period?

Leviticus 19:23 - ויקרא 19:23

Hebrew Text

וְכִי־תָבֹאוּ אֶל־הָאָרֶץ וּנְטַעְתֶּם כָּל־עֵץ מַאֲכָל וַעֲרַלְתֶּם עָרְלָתוֹ אֶת־פִּרְיוֹ שָׁלֹשׁ שָׁנִים יִהְיֶה לָכֶם עֲרֵלִים לֹא יֵאָכֵל׃

English Translation

And when you shall come into the land, and shall have planted all manner of trees for food, then you shall reckon their fruit as uncircumcised: three years shall it be as uncircumcised unto you: it shall not be eaten.

Transliteration

V'chi-tavo'u el-ha'aretz un'tatem kol-etz ma'akhal va'araltem orlato et-piryo shalosh shanim yihyeh lakhem areilim lo ye'akhel.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְכִי־תָבֹ֣אוּ אֶל־הָאָ֗רֶץ וּנְטַעְתֶּם֙ כׇּל־עֵ֣ץ מַאֲכָ֔ל וַעֲרַלְתֶּ֥ם עׇרְלָת֖וֹ אֶת־פִּרְי֑וֹ שָׁלֹ֣שׁ שָׁנִ֗ים יִהְיֶ֥ה לָכֶ֛ם עֲרֵלִ֖ים לֹ֥א יֵאָכֵֽל׃
וְכִי־תָבֹ֣אוּ אֶל־הָאָ֗רֶץ וּנְטַעְתֶּם֙ כׇּל־עֵ֣ץ מַאֲכָ֔ל וַעֲרַלְתֶּ֥ם עׇרְלָת֖וֹ אֶת־פִּרְי֑וֹ שָׁלֹ֣שׁ שָׁנִ֗ים יִהְיֶ֥ה לָכֶ֛ם עֲרֵלִ֖ים לֹ֥א יֵאָכֵֽל׃

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Parasha Commentary

Overview of the Verse

The verse (Vayikra 19:23) introduces the mitzvah of orlah, which prohibits eating the fruit of a newly planted tree during its first three years. The Torah describes the fruit as "uncircumcised" (arel), symbolizing its spiritual and physical unreadiness for consumption. This law applies specifically to fruit trees planted in Eretz Yisrael.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Vayikra 19:23) explains that the term orlah (ערלה) refers to the "blockage" or "covering" of the fruit's potential, much like the foreskin (orlah) blocks the holiness of the male organ. Just as circumcision (brit milah) sanctifies a Jewish male, the fourth year's fruit becomes sanctified and is brought to Yerushalayim as neta revai (fourth-year offerings).

Rambam's Halachic Perspective

In Hilchos Ma'achalos Asuros (10:9-11), the Rambam codifies the prohibition of orlah, emphasizing that it applies only to fruit trees in Eretz Yisrael. He notes that this mitzvah teaches patience and gratitude—acknowledging that the land and its produce are gifts from Hashem, not to be taken for granted.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 25:3) compares the three years of orlah to the three stages of human development:

  • Year 1: Like infancy, the tree is weak and unproductive.
  • Year 2: Like childhood, the tree grows but is not yet mature.
  • Year 3: Like adolescence, the tree bears fruit, but it is still spiritually "unrefined."

Only in the fourth year, akin to adulthood, is the fruit sanctified and permitted for consumption in a holy manner.

Kabbalistic Interpretation

The Zohar (Vayikra 103a) associates the three years of orlah with the three kelipos (impure husks) that must be removed before holiness can manifest. The fourth year represents the revelation of divine blessing (shefa) in the physical world.

Agricultural and Ethical Lessons

Chazal (Kiddushin 39a) teach that observing orlah instills discipline and trust in Hashem’s providence. By waiting three years, a farmer demonstrates that his livelihood depends not on his labor alone, but on divine will. Additionally, the mitzvah encourages sustainable agriculture, allowing young trees to establish strong roots before their fruit is harvested.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Kiddushin 39a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the mitzvah of orlah (the prohibition against eating fruit from a tree during its first three years) and its applicability outside the Land of Israel.
📖 Berakhot 35a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the blessings over fruits and the laws pertaining to orlah, emphasizing the sanctity and restrictions associated with the fruit of young trees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does it mean that the fruit is 'uncircumcised' for the first three years?
A: The term 'uncircumcised' (ערלים) in this verse refers to the fruit being forbidden for consumption, similar to how an uncircumcised person was not fully integrated into the covenant. Rashi explains that just as an uncircumcised person is restricted in certain mitzvot, the fruit is restricted from being eaten for the first three years after planting.
Q: Why does the Torah prohibit eating fruit from a tree for the first three years?
A: The Rambam (Hilchos Ma'achalos Asuros 10:9) teaches that this law, called 'orlah,' helps instill patience and discipline. Additionally, the Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 25:5) suggests that the first fruits belong to Hashem in a spiritual sense, and only after the fourth year do they become permitted for human benefit.
Q: Does the law of orlah (forbidden fruit) apply outside of Israel?
A: According to halacha (Jewish law), the mitzvah of orlah applies both in Israel and outside Israel, but with different stringencies. In Israel, it is a Torah obligation, while outside Israel, it is rabbinically mandated (Mishnah Orlah 3:9, Shulchan Aruch YD 294).
Q: What is the significance of waiting until the fourth year to eat the fruit?
A: The fourth year's fruit is called 'netta revai' and has special sanctity—it must be eaten in Jerusalem or redeemed (Vayikra 19:24). The Talmud (Berachos 35a) connects this to gratitude, teaching that we must first acknowledge Hashem’s ownership before enjoying the produce ourselves.
Q: Can we derive any life lessons from the law of orlah?
A: Yes! The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 247) explains that orlah teaches delayed gratification and appreciation for Hashem’s blessings. Just as a tree needs time to mature before its fruit can be enjoyed, we must learn patience and recognize that spiritual growth also takes time.