The recent publication of a table showing the percentage of
orloh in this year's crop of various summer fruits
indicates a sharp rise in the incidence of orloh in
certain fruits that will be supplied to retailers and the
food industry.
According to the figures, the most notable increases in
orloh were found in peaches, nectarines and grapes;
over 20 percent of certain varieties of grapes and up to 6
percent of apricots are orloh.
In light of these figures kashrus figures warn consumers once
again to purchase farm produce only in places that bear a
valid, mehadrin kashrus certificate.
Prepared by the Institute for Torah-Based Agricultural
Research the table is considered highly reliable by every
kashrus committee in Eretz Yisroel and is intended to provide
guidance for consumers who are unable to make their purchases
at places with proper oversight.
The table is organized according to the variety of fruit and
the season. For those unfamiliar with the different varieties
of fruit, the table provides a description and the time of
year it can be found in markets. The table serves as an aid
to kashrus figures and boosts public awareness.
According to Beis Hamedrash Lehalochoh Behisyashvus, although
the Ma'aser Sheini year has already begun citrus fruits and
avocados growing in people's yards are tevel vadai for
Ma'aser Oni since they formed before Tu BeShevat. The Beis
Medrash has a special arrangement to give Ma'aser Oni to the
poor via Vaad HaRabbonim LeInyonei Tzedaka in Eretz Hakodesh.
To provide money to the poor the gabbai tzedaka sell
the fruits back or money is given instead of fruits.
This arrangement was employed throughout the Ma'aser Oni year
for vegetables last year, and successfully allowed owners of
private gardens around the country to properly fulfill the
mitzvah of giving Ma'aser Oni without having to give a small
amount for every little backward yield. Instead the poor
receive a respectable sum all at once. So far tens of
thousands of shekels have been handed out through such
arrangements.
