to the common practice of diasporic Jewry being overly lenient on "safek orlah"; Although orlah is listed in the category of prohibitions pertaining to the Land of Israel ("מצווה שתלויה בארץ ישראל"), it is one of just two commandments of this category that applies outside of Israel as well. This law is considered a law given to Moses at Sinai. Rabbi Eliezer ben Hurcanus held the opinion that the prohibition of orlah does not apply outside the land of Israel. Questionable fruit Faced with an uncertainty as to whether an item is orlah (or a result of orlah usage such as dye, etc.), the mishna prescribes that such product is permitted for consumption so long as the actual removal of orlah product is not "seen" being picked. The papaya fruit is a subject of rabbinic dispute, as most of its fruit is harvested in the first three years after planting. Some rabbinic authorities maintain that the papaya is not a tree, thus making it orlah-exempt, whereas most rule that the laws of orlah do apply to the papaya. Papain, (a "second crop" enzyme extracted from the papaya peel, used in beer, biscuits, and as a digestive aid) is likewise under rabbinic scrutiny as a dilution ratio of 200:1 (200 non-orlah fruit to 1 part orlah) is required to permit orlah, essentially prohibiting benefiting from this enzyme. Practice in modern Israel The orlah laws are observed to this day by modern Jews. The Chief Rabbinate of Israel has allowed the sale of such fruit to non-Jews, but the usual policy is to destroy it. See also Tu B'Shvat References External links Rules of Orlah in Maimonides’ Code of Jewish Law Orthodox Union: 1155. When Does Orlah Apply? Ancient Israel and Judah Ancient Near East law Agriculture in Israel Book of Leviticus Horticultural techniques Horticulture Jewish law and rituals Kashrut Law of Moses Negative Mitzvoth Jewish agrarian laws Land of Israel laws in Judaism Hebrew words and phrases in the Hebrew Bible Hebrew words and phrases in Jewish law