Holiness of the sabbatical year in aravos
Question
Is one allowed to commercially sell aravos (willow) that grew in a sabbatical year?
Answer
Arava does not acquire the holiness of the sabbatical year; therefore, one is allowed to sell aravos that grew during such a year. It’s forbidden to cut arava branches without their owner’s consent.
It’s important not to buy aravos which don’t have a certificate attesting that they weren’t cultivated on the sabbatical year in ways that are forbidden. Whoever buys aravos that were worked upon during this year is considered “aiding sinners in their sins”.
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