Rabbi David Sperling
Question
B"H Shalom, I have a question regarding Hilchos Kelayim when making a pile of compost, e.g. with different kind of fruits where their seed is still fertile, like Apples together with watermelon seeds, etc... like normal garbage... 1) can I mix them on a pile of compost to let it rot directly on the soil b'Aretz? 2) or do I have to destroy the seed separately, e.g. take it out and put it into the normal garbage and just use the rest of the fruit for my compost? Toda Raba,
Answer
Shalom, Thank you for your question. The laws of Kelayim – the mixing of different types of seeds together – only applies to growing the seeds together in the normal way and with intent. However, it is permitted to compost or fertilize the ground, even if the compost or fertilizer contains different types of seeds. (See Hilchot HaAretz, (Hebrew) p 166, from the Machon HaTorah VeHaAretz). So, based on this, you may go ahead and mix the pile of compost directly on the ground, and not worry that there are different types of seeds in it. If the seeds were to sprout, then you would be obligated to remove one of the species, but I doubt this will happen with compost. Blessings.
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