Planting in a Home Pot
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Question
Is it permissible to freely care for or plant in a pot without a hole at the bottom during the Sabbatical year?
Answer
If the pot in which planting is done is on an uncovered balcony, it is forbidden to plant or care beyond what is necessary for its existence. If the pot is on a covered balcony or inside the house in a place not exposed to wind and rain, initially one should be stringent and not plant or care beyond what is necessary for its existence, but there are those who permit even planting and sowing during the Sabbatical year itself, as will be explained below.
Source
In the Jerusalem Talmud (Orlah, Chapter 1, Halacha 2), there is a doubt whether a plant growing inside a house has the laws of Shemitah, and in the book Pe'at HaShulchan (Chapter 20) it is written that since Shemitah in our time is rabbinic, we say that a doubt in rabbinic matters is lenient. However, according to the law, we hold that this is not a doubt in rabbinic matters, but the laws of Shemitah are observed (at least rabbinically). [See Chazon Ish, Shemitah, Chapter 22 and Chapter 26]; Azmera Leshimcha (Shemitah, Issue 1).
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