Machon Daniel Institutions

Just Bananas!

Original publication date:

1. If I put slices of Oztar Beit Din bananas in my children's cold cereal and they don't finish it, can I fish out just the bananas and put them in the sh'mittah pail or must I put whatever is left in the bowl in the pail?
2. Is there any problem baking cakes or muffins with the bananas if I have made banana cakes and muffins on a regular basis in the past?
3. Can you explain how Ashkenazim hold as far as produce from the Aravah?

1. Since the cereal (and milk) is cold, it can be assumed that the taste of the bananas has not passed into the cereal. We can also assume that since the banana flesh is firm, no parts have dissolved into the cereal. Therefore, you can fish out the pieces of banana and just put them into the sh'mittah pail.
2. The fact that you have often baked banana cakes and muffins in the past would not automatically permit you to do so with sh'mittah produce. Sh'mittah produce must be consumed in the usual way. What is generally eaten cooked, must be cooked; what is generally eaten raw, must be eaten raw. Bananas are generally eaten raw. Only if a significant number of people bake with bananas, albeit a minority, would this be permitted.
3. The Southern Aravah (from the 30^th parallel southwards) is accepted as having the status of being outside Eretz Yisroel. The Northern Aravah is a subject of dispute. The Chazon Ish held that since we do not know exactly where the southern border of Eretz Yisroel runs, we should be stringent and treat it as being part of Eretz Yisroel. Accordingly, sh'mittah laws apply to this area. Any vegetables grown by Jews within this area during sh'mittah are forbidden as s'fichin. The Eda Charedis follows a more lenient opinion which considers part of this area as being outside Eretz Yisroel. They hold that no sh'mittah laws apply to produce grown in this area.