Agricultural Laws Come Alive

Despite the snow piled high out the windows, ICJA students spent Tu B’Shevat this week thinking about the shmitta laws, the seven species of the Land of Israel and the holiday of Tu B’Shevat. The program opened with a video lesson from former ICJA teacher, Mrs. Molly Katz (’04), on halacha l’maaseh, as she went produce shopping in Israel. Molly made aliyah with her family this past summer. Students saw firsthand how fruit and vegetables are labeled differently, according to different rabbinic opinions on the laws of shmitta. They also saw how a Jew has to separate the food once they get home, ensuring that there are no amount of food with kedushat shviit goes in the garbage. Watch her entertaining lesson below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THVeruclFK8

Following the opening program, students attended two sessions of choice on various topics from ICJA staff, the YU Torah Mitzion Kollel members and some visiting guest speakers. Many thanks to Adina Blaustein and Rabbi Etan Ehrenfeld on creating such a wonderful program.

[envira-gallery id=”4305″]