“The Central Aravah area is part of Eretz Yisrael for all intent and purposes” stated HaGaon HaRav Yaakov Ariel Shlita in response to statements the Aravah is not a portion of the original boundaries of Israel and produce from this area is viewed as from abroad.

A report in the weekly Makor Rishon last week quotes Rav Ariel, who was responding to reports stating the area is views as outside of Eretz Yisrael.

Ahead of shmitah year the Association of Farmers in the Ein Yahav area invited representatives of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel to tour the area towards determining the boundaries for shmitah. The rabbinical delegations set out to determine the area border to determine which produce will be considered being foreign produce towards accommodating mehadrin hashgachos too.

The rabbonim spread out maps and opened seforim as they began addressing their task. They decided the Central Aravah region specifically the S. Aravah which hosts the vegetable crops of Yahel and Elifaz are not a part of original borders of Biblical Eretz Yisrael. Rav Ariel is viewed by many on these matters and halacha pertaining to shmitah, as well as standing at the helm of the Torah V’Haaretz Institute.

“The councils have decided to include the original borders of Eretz Yisrael as per the period of Shlomo HaMelech, areas of the Central Aravah regarding laws of shmitah. It is therefore prohibited to plan during shmitah. The only change is pertaining the area are possible leniencies surrounding heter mechira. I am unaware of any member of the Chief Rabbinate Council that that has given a heter for this area to be viewed as foreign produce” the rav concluded.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)