The Treaty Orlá addresses one of the agricultural laws more enigmatic of the Torah: the prohibition of eating the fruit of a tree during its first three years. Far from being a simple rule, Orlá build a system halachic complex that regulates intention, definition of fruit, mixtures, benefits, and geographical differences.

Below you'll find a study clear and structured of the Treaty Orlá, with analysis by chapters and the fundamental concepts that you must master.

What is Orlá and why there is this treaty?

Orlá is the prohibition of consuming —and in many cases also get the benefit— of the fruit of a fruit tree during its first three years from planting or establishment.

Its base text are found in Vayikrá / Leviticus 19:23-25:

• Years 1-3: the fruit “will not eat”.
• Year 4: it acquires status holy (kodesh hillulim), known as Net Revai.
• Year 5: the fruit becomes of general consumption.

The Treaty Orlá, located in Seder Zeraim of the Mishnah, is not limited to establishing “three years and ready”. Your goal is to answer questions halájicas key:

• What counts as planting or replanting?
• What trees are included in the category of tree for food”?
• What is considered a fruit and what is not?
• What happens when Orlá is mixed with allowed products?
• What does the prohibition of benefit?
• How the law applies in Eretz Israel, Syria, and out of the ground?

Nuclear concepts of the Treaty Orlá

1. “Etz maajal” and the intent (kavaná)

The Torah speaks of “a tree for food.” The Mishna provides a decisive principle: if a tree is a plant with purpose is not food (for example, as near or wood), may be exempted.

However, if part of the tree is destined for consumption, that part may be bound.

The intention here is not philosophy: it is legal criterion. Orlá becomes the kavaná in category specific legal.

2. Orlá vs. Net Revai (the fourth year)

It is important to distinguish:

• Orlá (years 1-3): prohibition of consumption, and, frequently, of the benefit.
• Net Revai (year 4): the fruit has status as sacred, associated with the regime of consumption or redemption similar to the Maaser Shení.
• Year 5: consumption completely allowed.

Not everything that is problematic in Orlá maintains the same status in Revai. The technical definition of “fruit” may vary between the two regimes.

3. The count of the years

The count is not always a “date to date”. In the halachah agricultural classical, links to Rosh Hashanah and rules of the establishment of the tree.

This shows that Orlá is not only a symbolic law, but an agricultural system with calendar legal need.

4. Mixtures and the rule 201/200

One of the rules emblematic of the Treaty Orlá is the reversal in the ratio of 201:

• If a part is prohibited Orlá is mixed with 200 parts which is allowed, can be undone.

But the treaty introduces multiple nuances:

• Can add different prohibitions?
• Do they cancel each other out?
• What happens if the item is prohibited from acting as agent (yeast, seasoning, dye)?

When the issur is constitutive of the final result —for example, by fermenting a mash— the numerical majority loses strength as a criterion.

5. Geography halachic and safek Orlá

The Treaty Orlá provides practical differences:

• Safek Orlá in Eretz Israel: forbidden.
• Safek Orlá in Syria: allowed with intermediate status.
• Out of the earth: it allows you to buy without checking out the harvest direct.

In addition, it distinguishes the normative force between:

• Chadash: prohibition of the Torah in every place.
• Orlá: status transmitted as halachah.
• Kilayim: character rabbinical according to the framework mishnaico.

Study and analysis of chapters of the Treaty Orlá

Chapter 1: Definitions, intention, and what counts as fruit

Central axis

• Intention of planting and exemptions.
• Cases of planting non-conventional.
• Mixture of seedlings.
• What is not considered a fruit.
• Differences between Orlá and Revai.

Analysis

This chapter builds the ontological basis of the treaty: before we talk about prohibitions, it is necessary to define which entity is being regulated.

The halachah does not rely on intuitions botanical, but in the legal categories accurate: intention, use, and formal definition of a fruit.

Chapter 2: Mixtures, cancellation (bittul) and active agents

Central axis

• Rule of nullification in 201.
• Computation of multiple bans.
• The concept of “maamid” (active agent).

Analysis

Here Orlá becomes a treatise on the theory of the mixture.

It is not enough that there is most allowed. If the item non-defining the product —for flavor, fermentation, or structural function— the logic changes.

The following are distinguished:

• Bittul quantitative (proportions).
• Impact qualitative (when the forbidden is constitutive).

Chapter 3: Benefit forbidden and practical applications

Central axis

• Dyes derived from the fruit of Orlá.
• Use as a fuel.
• Indirect cooking.
• Geography of the safek.

Analysis

This chapter is particularly relevant today.

The ban can travel like:

• Substance.
• Effect (fermentation, taste).
• Process (energy for cooking).

This requires a mindset of traceability, key certifications kosher and supply chains contemporary.

What is essential to the Treaty Orlá

• Text-based: Vayikrá 19:23-25.
• Years 1-3: prohibition of consumption and profit.
• Year 4: Neta Revai (status sacred).
• Year 5: allowed.
• Entrance to the regime depends on being “etz maajal” and the intent.
• Define what is fruit is essential.
• Rule of cancellation: 201.
• Active agents may be prohibited even in a small amount.
• Safek Orlá is more strict in Eretz Israel.

The Treaty Orlá is not just a farm bill antigua. It is an architecture halachic that combines intention, legal definition, theory of mixtures and geography standards. To understand this involves understanding how the halachah transforms a biological process —the growth of a tree— in a legal system detailed.