3,386. When is the Time of Tithes?

Hilchos Maaser 2:5

The time of tithes is when the produce reaches the stage when it can produce viable seed; in this, every species is different. For figs, it’s when they’re soft enough to eat within 24 hours of harvesting. For grapes and wild grapes, it’s when their seeds can be seen from outside the fruit. For pomegranates, it’s when the seed can easily be crushed between the fingers and exude juice. For dates, it’s when they expand like yeast. For peaches, it’s when their red veins appear. For nuts, it’s when the nut is distinct from the shell. For sweet almonds, it’s when the shell is distinct. Bitter almonds, as we have said, are always exempt from tithes. Acorns, chestnuts, pistachios and other foods with shells must be tithed when the bottom shell adjacent to the nut forms. Olives must be tithed when they produce one-ninth the oil that they produce when fully ripe, which is one-third of their growth. Apples and citrons – when they become round because they can be eaten even when small. Berries and sumac – when they turn red; the same is true of every fruit that ultimately turns red. Carobs – when black spots start to appear; the same is true of any fruit that turns black. Various types of pears and quince – when their fuzz starts to fall off. For any fruit that lightens, it’s when white lines appear. Grain – when it reaches one-third of its growth. Fenugreek – when the seeds would grow if planted. Vegetables like gourds, squash, watermelon and cucumbers must be tithed even when small, as has already been discussed. Other vegetables, which are unfit to eat until they have grown, need not be tithed until they are fit to eat. If even one grape on a cluster reaches the time of tithes, the whole cluster must be tithed; since they’re connected, it’s as if the whole cluster has reached the time of tithes. In fact, this applies not just to that cluster, but to the whole side of the vine on which it grew. Similarly, if just one seed of a pomegranate reaches the time of tithes, the whole is considered connected to it.

Hilchos Maaser 2:6

After produce reaches the time of tithes, the owner may not sell it to one who is untrustworthy regarding tithes. If some produce ripened, he should remove it, after which he may sell the rest, which has not yet reached the time of tithes. One may likewise not sell the dregs of olives and grapes to one who is untrustworthy regarding tithes in order to extract the liquid from them; this is because liquids extracted from such dregs must be tithed. One may likewise not sell straw to one who is untrustworthy regarding tithes in order to extract grain from it because such grain must be tithed.