200

Not to eat fruit of a tree during its first three years

The Luchos - Ten Commandments
וְכִי־תָבֹ֣אוּ אֶל־הָאָ֗רֶץ וּנְטַעְתֶּם֙ כׇּל־עֵ֣ץ מַאֲכָ֔ל וַעֲרַלְתֶּ֥ם עׇרְלָת֖וֹ אֶת־פִּרְי֑וֹ שָׁלֹ֣שׁ שָׁנִ֗ים יִהְיֶ֥ה לָכֶ֛ם עֲרֵלִ֖ים לֹ֥א יֵאָכֵֽל׃ - פָּרָשַׁת קְדשִׁים
Leviticus 19:23 - "When you come to the Land and you plant any food tree, you shall surely block its fruit [from use]; it shall be blocked from you [from use] for three years, not to be eaten."

This Mitzvah's Summary

מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Agriculture – חַקְלָאוּת

Forbidden to eat fruit produced by a tree in its first three years after planting.

This mitzvah prohibits eating the fruit of a tree during its first three years of growth, known as orlah. The fruit is considered forbidden for consumption or benefit until the fourth year, when it is sanctified and brought to Jerusalem as netah revai. This command applies both in the Land of Israel and, by rabbinic extension, outside it as well. The mitzvah cultivates patience, restraint, and gratitude, teaching that holiness extends even into agriculture and that first fruits are consecrated to Hashem.

Commentary & Classical Explanation:

  • Rambam (Hilchot Ma’achalot Asurot 10:15): Rules that orlah applies universally and is forbidden for any use during the first three years.
  • Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 246): The root is to instill discipline and faith, showing that the first yield belongs to Hashem before man may benefit.
  • Talmud (Kiddushin 39a): Establishes that orlah applies even outside Israel by halachah transmitted to Moshe at Sinai.
(Source: Chabad.org)

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