Fruit from Israel in a Regular Store in Moscow
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Question
Shalom! I ordered delivery from a store in Moscow and they brought me an avocado from Israel. What should I do with it? Can I give it to a non-Jew? Can I separate terumot and ma'aserot myself?
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question.
Fruits and vegetables grown in Israel require the separation of Terumot and Ma'aserot. In Israel, this is usually done by the supplier before delivering the products to stores. However, products exported from Israel generally do not undergo the separation of Terumot and Ma'aserot.
Fruits and vegetables from which Terumot and Ma'aserot have not been separated are called "tevel." Tevel has strict restrictions. For example, it is forbidden to feed tevel to animals (Rambam, Maaser 13:15), and it is also forbidden to give or transfer tevel to a non-Jew for consumption, even though the non-Jew is not obligated to perform this commandment (Tosafot, Eruvin 17b). Additionally, tevel cannot be used to fulfill any other commandment — for example, using a tevel etrog during Sukkot. However, it is permissible to enjoy the smell of tevel, provided that the fruit is not damaged in the process.
Therefore, you should consume the avocado after independently separating Terumot and Ma'aserot from it. If you have never done this before, I recommend consulting a Russian-speaking rabbi who can explain to you in detail how this is done in practice.