I LIVE IN ISRAEL. WHAT ARE THE RULES ABOUT BUYING HOUSE OR GARDEN PLANTS IN THE EIGHTH YEAR. LAST YEAR WAS SHMITTA.
THANKS
Answer:
House or garden pants that do not bear fruit or edible leaves/spices, do not have seventh year sanctity [kedushas shviis]. If they were cultivated and planted in a forbidden manner during the shmitta year, they should ideally not be bought, so as not to encourage violation of shmitta. Ideally plants should be bought from shmitta observant nurseries or from non Jews. Once enough time has elapsed that the plane may be from the eighth year, they may be purchased.