Grains, fruits, and vegetables (and their extracts) that grow in the halachic boundaries of Eretz Yisrael are subject to many extra kashrut laws due to the kedusha (holiness) of the land. These include:

• The requirement to separate terumah (the Priestly tithe)
• The requirement to separate the various forms of ma’aser (tithes for the Levites, the poor, and the portion that was to be eaten in Jerusalem in Temple times)
• Shmita (produce of the Sabbatical year)
• A stricter form of Orla (produce of a tree within its first 3 years).

Processed foods from Israel with a reliable hechsher guarantees that all these halachic issues have been taken care of.

All pomegranates bought after 12 p.m. today have had Terumah and Ma’aser separated at the following retail stores:

• Food Lover’s Market Norwood
• Freshfellas
• Kosherworld
• Pick n Pay Norwood

Fresh Produce

The Kashrut Department is now aware of the following fruit that are being imported from Eretz Yisrael and require Terumah and Ma’aser to be separated:

• Figs
• Plums
• Nectarines
• Peaches
• Mango
• Black Grapes
• Pomegranates

Instructions on how to separate Terumah and Ma’aser can be found on the UOS website (http://www.uos.co.za/kashrut/prodIsrael.asp).