This trimming is not performed to enhance plant growth but rather to prevent the fruit from being harmed. See also Rabbi Goren, Me'orot (Chief Rabbinate of Israel publication, 5740 1, p.22) and Shabbat Ha'aretz 1:5 §16. 8–9, who deliberates with regard to etrogim. See also Rabbi Elyashiv, Halichot Sadeh 50, pp. For etrogim, however, this act is considered ukmei peira, since thorn punctures can invalidate them. The reason for this heter is that for regular fruits, clipping thorns is considered avruyei peira: if thorns puncture fruit, it merely prevents the fruit from being complete and beautiful. Hilchot Shevi'it (§1, Kise David §32) expressly permits such etrogim. Lulavim, aravot, and hadasim may be exported abroad as usual, as they are during non- shemitah years.Following the holiday, it is recommended to eat the etrogim (as jam or another dish) before the time of bi'ur. It is permissible to export etrogim for the mitzvah of the arba minim after the time of bi'ur, or well before the time of bi'ur when it is clear that the fruit will not last outside of Israel until the time of bi'ur.Nevertheless, one should still give ma'aser rishon to a Levi so that there will be no question that the etrogim belong to the owner. For etrogim harvested during the eighth year, terumot and ma'aserot should be separated without a blessing (even though they have shemitah sanctity see above §B.1).In contrast, etrogim that reach chanatah during shemitah and are harvested during shemitah are exempt from terumot and ma'aserot.For etrogim that reach chanatah during the sixth year and are harvested during shemitah, terumot and ma'aserot should be separated without a blessing (to account for the opinions that the etrog's status is determined only by chanatah).Optimally, etrogim sold through the otzar beit din should be sold at a fixed price, regardless of whether they are standard or mehudar.One should avoid purchasing the arba minim from people who sell them in a prohibited manner.It is permissible to purchase etrogim only from those who grow and sell them as rabbinical court agents or through heter mechirah.While fruit that is guarded or for which prohibited activities are performed for are permissible to eat ( shamur and ne'evad, respectively, see Chapter 8), to avoid assisting sinners one should purchase the arba minim only from growers who raise them in a halachically permissible fashion.Lulavim and aravot do not have shemitah. Some maintain that hadasim do.It is permissible to use a shemitah etrog for the arba minim despite the fact that it somewhat harms its peel.Etrogim harvested for Sukkot have shemitah This is true for etrogim harvested during the shemitah year and during the eighth year.Aravot should not be trimmed before Rosh Hashanah of the eighth year to enhance branch growth.Aravot should be clipped before Sukkot in a way that is not the best for the tree, such as unorganized trimming.Hadasim should not be burned or trimmed during the shemitah However, during the harvest performed for Sukkot, it is possible to trim hadasim as low as possible, even during the shemitah year. It is permissible to prune leaves that might create spots ( bletlach, caused by spots that leaves lean on a growing etrog) that will make the etrog non-marketable.It is permitted to prune thorns that harm the etrogim.The training system should be prepared during the sixth year.One should try to perform all pruning activities necessary for the arba minim before Rosh Hashanah of the shemitah year and after Rosh Hashanah of the eighth year.When is it permissible to buy vegetables in the eighth year without knowing their shemitah status? Shemitah Fruit in the market – Tammuz, and ordering online fruit from supermarkets Otzar beit din: The rabbinical court treasury Israeli produce abroad: did all farmers in Israel sign heter mechirah? Israeli organic peppers in the United States during shemitah Sources of produce in various types of stores Until when do shemitah laws apply to fruits and vegetables during the eighth year Priority ranking for shemitah – Otzar Ha'aretz 5782 Observing the mitzvah of shemitah today with Otzar Ha'aretzįlowers – dates from when they might be planted in a forbidden fashion during shemitah Otzar Ha'aretz – the optimal way to observe the shemitah year Guidelines for consumers for purchasing fruits and vegetables

Arba minim