Counting the Years of Orlah for a Transplanted Pot
Question
Answer
If the tree grew in a non-perforated pot, such as one with holes less than 2 cm, and now it is being transferred to the ground, according to all opinions, the years of Orlah must be counted anew because until now it was not planted in the ground. However, if it was planted in the ground and is being transferred with a clod of earth, under Mehadrin kosher standards, they do not rely on this to be lenient. However, under the supervision of the rabbinate, it is permitted that if there was a short interruption in nourishment, this can be leniently combined with the holes. The reason they do not rely on the canopy even in the case of a large tree whose canopy extends beyond the truck transporting it is that only for stringency do they worry about this, such as in the Sabbatical year, and not for leniency.