{"id":1121,"date":"2013-08-20T17:19:59","date_gmt":"2013-08-20T17:19:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.star-k.org\/articles\/?p=1121"},"modified":"2018-08-22T18:33:37","modified_gmt":"2018-08-22T18:33:37","slug":"hydroponics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.star-k.org\/articles\/kashrus-kurrents\/1121\/hydroponics\/","title":{"rendered":"Hydroponics"},"content":{"rendered":"

The AeroGarden is a unique hydroponic system, enabling home-growing of vegetables. ( Note: STAR-K no longer certifies The Aerogarden) The entrance of this system into the marketplace presents an opportunity to discuss the history and halachos<\/em> of hydroponics.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

According to some accounts, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon were hydroponically-grown.\u00a0 The gardens hung strikingly from palace terraces and were considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World<\/a>.\u00a0 The gardens were supposedly constructed by Nevuchadnetzar<\/em> around 600 BCE<\/a> in present-day Iraq<\/a>, about 30 miles south of Baghdad.1<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0 However, there is a lively discussion among historians as to who built the gardens, how they were planted, and indeed whether these gardens existed at all.\u00a0 The Talmud<\/em>\u00a0(Avoda Zara <\/em>38b) itself discusses the hydroponic sprouting of seeds, in what seems to have been a fairly common practice.<\/p>\n

More recently, in the 1930’s, Dr. William Gericke of the University of California conducted research with hydroponics.\u00a0 He coined the term “hydroponics”, derived from the Greek words, hydro<\/em> (water) and ponos<\/em> (labor), or “water-working.”\u00a0 Put simply, it means growing plants in a nutrient solution without soil.\u00a0 The science of hydroponics proved that soil is merely the holder of the nutrients, as well as the place where the plant roots traditionally live and a base of support for the plant structure.\u00a0 Soil isn\u2019t required for plant growth; the elements, minerals and nutrients that soil contains such as carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium can be supplied in liquid solutions.\u00a0 Plants are supported by porous material, such as sand, gravel, foam or glass wool, that acts as a wick in relaying the nutrient solution from its source to the roots.<\/p>\n

In 1945, the United States Air Force built one of the first large hydroponic farms on Ascension Island, a barren island in the South Atlantic, followed by additional farms on Iwo Jima and Okinawa in the Pacific.\u00a0 These hydroponic farms helped to supply fresh vegetables to troops stationed in these areas.\u00a0 Over the past few decades, researchers in Israel have been at the forefront of hydroponic study.2<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

Presently, the most\u00a0common hydroponic crop grown in the United States is tomatoes followed by\u00a0cucumbers, lettuce, herbs, and peppers.\u00a0 In addition, every day many hydroponic vegetables are brought in from Canada, Mexico and Europe.<\/p>\n

Now let\u2019s discuss the various halachos<\/em> which are applicable to the AeroGarden, and to hydroponics in general.
\nBrocha<\/span><\/em><\/strong>
\nThe brocha<\/em> on hydroponically-grown vegetables is Shehakol<\/em>.3<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0 The brocha<\/em> of Hoadama<\/em> is applicable only to vegetables which actually grow from the adama<\/em>, the earth.4<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0 As noted above, many commercially sold tomatoes are grown hydroponically.\u00a0 Still, unless one knows definitively that the produce was grown hydroponically, one should assume it was earth-grown and recite Hoadama<\/em>.5<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0 It is important to note that Israeli exported greenhouse-grown romaine lettuce (Alei Katif brand) is not grown hydroponically.\u00a0 The brocha<\/em> on these vegetables is Hoadama<\/em>.6<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

Insects <\/span><\/strong>
\nStar-K\u2019s certification of the AeroGarden is essentially a statement that the system is an appropriate method of controlling insects in produce.\u00a0 Plants grown under controlled conditions indoors are generally free from insects which are commonly found in outdoor-grown plants.7<\/a><\/sup>However, we cannot guarantee that vegetables grown with the kit will be insect-free, since insects which commonly thrive indoors may find their way onto the vegetables.\u00a0 In addition, in rare cases insects could possibly land on the plants by entering the home on clothes or other vegetables.\u00a0 For these reasons, a cursory inspection and a washing of the vegetables before use is advised.\u00a0 As an additional precaution against infestation, one may create an insect barrier by covering the garden with a mesh or cloth.<\/p>\n

In addition to romaine and other types of lettuce, one can grow herbs such as cilantro, dill, and parsley.\u00a0 Herbs are especially prone to infestation, are difficult to check, and are not widely available to the kosher consumer as \u2018certified insect-free\u2019.\u00a0 The kit is helpful in controlling infestation for these varieties.<\/p>\n

Hydroponically-grown vegetables (lettuce, herbs, etc.) sold commercially without kosher certification should be thoroughly checked since they grow under conditions unknown to the consumer.<\/p>\n

Shabbos\/Yom Tov<\/span><\/em><\/strong>
\nNurturing plants is one of the 39 melachos<\/em>, prohibited categories of work on Shabbos<\/em> and Yom Tov<\/em>.\u00a0 Therefore, on those days the seeds may not be placed in their base, nor may nutrients or water be added.8<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0 There are also restrictions on some melachos<\/em> on Chol Hamoed<\/em>, and one should ensure that the proper nutrients and water are added before the onset of Yom Tov<\/em> so that there is no need to add them on Chol Hamoed<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The vegetables may not be harvested on Shabbos<\/em> or Yom Tov<\/em> due to the prohibition of kotzer, <\/em>reaping.9<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0 On Chol Hamoed<\/em>, they may be harvested for Chol<\/em> Hamoed<\/em> or Yom Tov<\/em> use.\u00a0 Although the AeroGarden lights go on and off during Shabbos<\/em>, this is permitted since the system is automated without further input.10<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

Israel<\/span><\/strong>
\nDue to the special status of Eretz Yisroel<\/em>, generally, vegetables grown there must have ma\u2019asros<\/em>, tithes, separated.\u00a0 However, if the AeroGarden kit is used to grow vegetables in Eretz Yisroel<\/em>, ma\u2019asros<\/em> need not be separated from the vegetables.\u00a0 This is because hydroponically-grown vegetables are free from the obligation to separate ma\u2019asros<\/em>.11<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0 In addition, they may be grown during the Sabbatical year of Shmitta<\/em>.12<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

On a related note, if the seeds in the kits were to come from Eretz Yisroel<\/em>, the seeds would not be subject to the laws of ma\u2019asros <\/em>or Shmitta<\/em>.\u00a0 These seeds are not edible seeds, and the Mishnah<\/em> in Ma\u2019asros<\/em> 5:8 states that non-edible seeds are not subject to ma\u2019asros or Shmitta<\/em>.13<\/a><\/sup> In any event, Star-K has determined that the AeroGarden seeds are not from Eretz Yisroel<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Marror <\/span><\/strong><\/em>
\nHydroponic romaine lettuce should not be used for marror<\/em> at the Pesach Seder<\/em>.14<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0 The reasoning for this is as follows:\u00a0 It is unclear whether the brocha<\/em> of Hamotzi<\/em> relieves one of the obligation to recite a brocha<\/em> on marror<\/em>.\u00a0 Although marror<\/em> is eaten during the meal and should perhaps not require its own brocha<\/em>, it is not a \u2018meal food\u2019 eaten to satisfy hunger and may, therefore, still require its own brocha<\/em>.\u00a0 To circumvent this issue, the halacha<\/em> states that Hoadama<\/em> on the karpas<\/em> is recited while having in mind to exempt the marror<\/em>.15<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0 However, the brocha<\/em> on hydroponic lettuce is Shehakol<\/em>; thus, the Hoadama<\/em> on karpas<\/em> would not be applicable to the lettuce.\u00a0 This would place one in a questionable position\u2014should Shehakol<\/em> be said on the marror <\/em>or not?\u00a0 To avoid this dilemma, hydroponic lettuce should not be used for marror<\/em>.16<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

Nutrient Tablets<\/span><\/strong>
\nStar-K is no longer able to determine the make-up of the nutrient tablets used in the AeroGarden system. Nevertheless, even if the nutrient tablets would be non-kosher, the plants would still be kosher.\u00a0 Normally, items that have a non-kosher source of nutrition are, themselves, considered non-kosher.\u00a0 However, the rule of zeh v\u2019zeh gorem<\/em> states that if the nutrition is comprised of kosher and non-kosher components, the resulting animal or plant is kosher.17<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0 In any garden, including the AeroGarden, the water is kosher so the kosher status of the nutrients has no effect.<\/p>\n

From early history to modern times, hydroponics has offered an alternative to earth-grown produce.\u00a0 It is yet another way to appreciate the bountiful world Hashem<\/em> has bestowed upon us.18<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

\n

1. This would be around the time he destroyed the Beis Hamikdash<\/em>.\u00a0 It is said that the gardens were built to cheer up his wife \u2013 a native of a lush region full of vegetation, who found the dry Babylonian scenery dispiriting.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

2. In 1982, Dr. Hillel Sofer, senior researcher at the Volcani Institute at Ein Gedi, developed the aero-hydroponic method, which increases oxygen to the plant roots by suspending the roots in air. \u00a0The AeroGarden uses this methodology.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Rav Ovadia Yosef (Yechaveh Da’as<\/em> 6:12), Rav Chanoch Zundel Grossberg, (Siddur Minchas Yerushalayim<\/em> p. 334), Rav Eliyahu Falk (Machazeh Eliyahu siman<\/em> 28).\u00a0 All cite the Chaye Adam<\/em> 51:17, who discusses vegetables grown in soil in a flowerpot (sh\u2019aino na\u2019kuv, <\/em>without holes on the bottom).\u00a0 Chaye Adam<\/em> rules that the brocha<\/em> is Shehakol<\/em>, since it is not nourished by the soil in the ground.\u00a0 Although some disagree with the Chaye Adam<\/em> on that point, his ruling provides strong support for reciting Shehakol<\/em> on vegetables grown in water, which is even further distinguished from earth-grown vegetables.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. There are opinions (Rav Shmuel Vozner Sheivet HaLevi<\/em> 1:205, Rav Moshe Shternbuch Teshuvos V\u2019hanhagos<\/em> 2:149) that the proper brocha<\/em> on hydroponic vegetables is Hoadama<\/em>,asHoadama<\/em> is recited over any vegetable which normally grows from the ground.\u00a0 (Rav Shternbuch writes that Chaye Adam<\/em> only referred to Hamotzi, <\/em>which could not be recited on bread made from wheat grown in a flowerpot.\u00a0 However, this argument is difficult to support, as Chaye Adam<\/em> refers specifically to Hoadama<\/em>.\u00a0 Also, see Nishmas Adam<\/em> 152:1 where the Chaye Adam<\/em> explicitly links the two brochos<\/em>.)<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Yechaveh Da’as<\/em> 6:12.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. During Shemitta years, Alei Katif may be grown differently than in other years.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. A test of the system in the Star-K offices produced lettuce which was insect-free.<\/span><\/p>\n

8. Shulchan Aruch<\/em> O.C.<\/em> 336:11.\u00a0 See Minchas Chinuch<\/em> 32 and Teshuvos Har Tzvi<\/em> (Zeraim<\/em> 2:31). <\/span><\/p>\n

9. Shulchan Aruch<\/em> O.C.<\/em> 336:5, Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasa<\/em> 26:4, Machazeh Eliyahu <\/em>31.<\/span><\/p>\n

10. Even Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe<\/em> OC 4:60), who disapproved of \u2018Shabbos<\/em> clocks\u2019, still permitted their use for lighting. <\/span><\/p>\n

11.Rav Yechiel Michel Tuchetzinski (Zeriah<\/em> 3:4) and others cited in Mishpatei Aretz<\/em> (Terumos<\/em> 1:19). Teshuvos Har Tzvi<\/em> (Zeraim<\/em> 2:31), however, requires ma\u2019asros<\/em>.\u00a0 See also discussion in Derech Emunah<\/em> (Terumos<\/em> chap. 2, Beiur Halacha<\/em> s.v. Ochel<\/em>).<\/span><\/p>\n

12. Yechaveh Da’as <\/em>( 6:12) citing Rav Yechiel Michel Tuchetzinski (Sefer Ha\u2019Shmitta<\/em> vol 2:pg 104),
\nSefer Nechpeh B\u2019kesef<\/em> (Y.D. 1:5) cited by Minchas Shlomo<\/em> (vol 3, 158:8), Rav Binyamin Zilber
\n(Az Nidbiru<\/em> 4:51).\u00a0 Rav Zilber emphasizes that his ruling applies only in cases where the plant is not in any
\nearth or even chemical fertilizer.\u00a0 The Chazon Ish <\/em>is also quoted as having permitted hydroponics during Shmitta<\/em>.\u00a0 Maharil Diskin<\/em>, cited by Minchas Shlomo<\/em>, forbids all hydroponics during Shmitta<\/em>, as does Har Tzvi<\/em>
\n(Zeraim<\/em> 2:31).<\/span><\/p>\n

13. The Rambam<\/em> (Peirush Ha\u2019mishnayos<\/em>) writes, based on the Mishnah<\/em>, that even if the seeds come from vegetables which themselves have been set aside as teruma<\/em>, the plants which grow from these non-edible seeds are not teruma<\/em>.\u00a0 We do not apply the rule of gidulei teruma teruma<\/em>.\u00a0 See also Rashash<\/em>. <\/span><\/p>\n

14. Also see Pesachim<\/em> 39a, ma matza gidulei karka af marror gidulei karka, <\/em>implying that marror<\/em> must be earth-grown.\u00a0 However, this may mean only that marror<\/em> must be a type<\/em> of food which normally grows from the earth.\u00a0 See Mikraei Kodesh Pesach<\/em> 2:12.<\/span><\/p>\n

15. Mishnah Brura<\/em> 473:55, Aruch Hashulchan<\/em> 473:18.<\/span><\/p>\n

16. Although horseradish may warrant a brocha<\/em> of Shehakol<\/em> when eaten raw and yet it is used for marror<\/em>, on Pesach<\/em> night its brocha<\/em> is likely Hoadama<\/em> since it is eaten to fulfill the halachic<\/em> requirement (see Beiur Halacha<\/em> 575:2).\u00a0 However, the brocha<\/em> on hydroponic lettuce remains Shehakol<\/em>, even on Pesach<\/em> night.<\/span><\/p>\n

17. Shulchan Aruch Y.D<\/em>. 142:11. See also Shach Y.D<\/em>. 60:1 quoting Tosafos<\/em> (Avodah Zara<\/em> 59a) regarding plants grown on issur achilah<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

18. There are other halachic<\/em> areas where it is relevant to discuss whether hydroponics is gidulei karka <\/em>— leaving peah;<\/em> tochen<\/em> and imur<\/em> on Shabbos<\/em>; buying food with ma\u2019aser sheni<\/em> money; a poel<\/em> eating from produce; and s\u2019chach<\/em>.\u00a0 We plan to cover these issues in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The AeroGarden is a unique hydroponic system, enabling home-growing of vegetables. ( Note: STAR-K no longer certifies The Aerogarden) The entrance of this system into the marketplace presents an opportunity to discuss the history and halachos of hydroponics.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":1122,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34,37,126,27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1121","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kashrus-kurrents-2006","category-fall-kashrus-kurrents-2006","category-fruit-veg","category-kashrus-kurrents"],"yoast_head":"\nHydroponics | STAR-K Kosher Certification<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The AeroGarden is a unique hydroponic system, enabling home-growing of vegetables. 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