Simply Soap

Sima from Elad asks: I recently bought a locally produced natural soap. I noticed that the ingredients include herbs and fruit extracts. These could well be from the sh’mittah year. May I use the soap? It is forbidden to convert sh’mittah produce which is fit for human or animal consumption into an inedible form. This…

Lawn Care

Shimon from Arzei Habira asks: We have a large lawn in front of our apartment. The grass is already very high. Our children are unable to play on the lawn. I am also worried about snakes hiding in the grass. The top of the grass turns brown in the midday heat. May I cut the…

Olive Oil Ointment

Motty from Talpiot asks: I suffer from chapped hands during the winter. I have heard that olive oil keeps hands smooth. May I use sh’mittah olive oil for this purpose? Strictly speaking, anointing one’s body is a permitted use for sh’mittah olive oil. Rashi in Tractate Succah (40a) explains that anointing is like drinking in…

Late Checks

Manny from Givat Mordechai asks: I borrowed money from my not-yet-observant uncle. I gave him a cheque for repayment, which is due on Erev Rosh Hashonoh (eve of the Jewish New Year). Is there any problem if he delays cashing the cheque till after Rosh Hashonoh? Can I write a pruzbul on his behalf without…

Roses Are Forever

Yechiel from Beit Shemesh asks: Our wedding anniversary is coming up and my wife loves roses. Do I have to be concerned about s’fichin when buying roses? Since roses grow on a bush which produces flowers year after year, the prohibition of s’fichin does not apply. It does not apply to perennials. This is in…

Dark Green Pears

Chumi from Mea Shearim asks: My friend included an avocado amongst her Tu Bi’Shvat fruits. She also told me that it had kedushas shvi’is. I thought that all vegetables were now from the eighth year and therefore had no kedushah. I also thought that you were meant to eat fruits on Tu Bi’Shvat and not…

Late Wages

Nachman from Kiryat Moshe asks: I am paid according to the Jewish month. Sometimes my boss pays me a few days late. Since my wages are due on Erev Rosh Hashonoh, do I need to write a pruzbul if he does not pay me on time? As discussed in the “Talking Business” section, only those…