To the Editor:
The public must be wary of vegetables brought in from the
northern part of the Aravah and Negev. Some follow lenient
rulings and consider these area not to have kedushas
ho'oretz but many follow the ruling of the Chazon Ish not
to be lenient in respect to these vegetables, and not to regard
these places -- which are sofeik Eretz Yisroel -- as
chutz la'aretz.
According to this reason, one must not be lenient with respect
to produce of the entire northern Negev. Its produce is
forbidden even bedi'eved as sefichin if it was
planted during the shmitta year. If one has cooked such
vegetables, he should ask a rav what to do with his pots.
The public is not sufficiently aware of this, since some of the
kashrus committees (mehadrin) that are accepted
by the chareidi community also bring vegetables from these
areas.
The above pertains to individuals in their homes, as well as to
restaurants, yeshivos, talmudei Torah, catering services
and simcha halls.
This should be publicized in advance, because the time at which
the prohibition against sefichin is forbidden in respect
to the Negev (the last week of November or early December) is
nearing. There is no need to dwell on the seriousness of the
prohibition of forbidden foods, which contaminate us
spiritually.
With blessings,
Avrohom Yeshayahu Schneider,
Jerusalem
