Purpose of Orlah/2
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Purpose of Orlah
Exegetical Approaches
Distancing from Idolatry
The prohibition to eat of the fruit of a tree in its first three years is meant to keep the nation from imitating idolatrous practices.
Idolator's customs – The Rambam suggests that people in surrounding nations would engage in various magical rites to accelerate the pace at which their trees would bear fruit. When the fruit appeared they would then bring of it to the gods in whose name the magical rites had been performed. To prevent people from imitating these rites, Hashem prohibited benefiting from any fruit grown in the tree's first three years, ensuring that there would be no need for anyone to try and hasten the fruit's production.
Connection to נטע רבעי – This commandment, too, constitutes a reaction to these foreign practices. In contrast to the surrounding cultures who brought of the fruit to their idols, Hashem mandates that we bring the fourth year's fruit to Hashem.
Meaning of "ערלה"
Context – This understanding of the law might be supported by the fact that the prohibitions which follow this one similarly relate to magical and idolatrous practices, banning divination and necromancy.1
Biblical Parallels – The Rambam is consistent in viewing many laws throughout Torah as being aimed at distancing the nation form idolatrous customs.
The blessing: "לְהוֹסִיף לָכֶם תְּבוּאָתוֹ" – Hashem's promise of extra produce might serve as an incentive to keep the obligation and counter the desire to hasten a tree's production. Hashem promises that if one does not attempt to have the tree bear fruit prematurely, Hashem will ensure that more fruit will be produced later; as such, there is nothing to be lost by heeding the directive, only what to be gained.
Health Benefits
The law is intended to preserve the health of the Children of Israel. Since the fruit that a tree bears in its first three years is harmful and detrimental to one's health, Hashem prohibited its consumption.
Sources:Ramban #2, Sefer HaChinkuh,
Meaning of "ערלה"
Connection to נטע רבעי
Context of holiness
Biblical parallels
Can laws be utilitarian in nature?
The blessing: "לְהוֹסִיף לָכֶם תְּבוּאָתוֹ"
