Hebrew: אַגָּס, agas
Family: Rosaceae
Scientific Name: Pyrus communis
The pear is a deciduous fruit tree that thrives in cold and temperate regions, originating from Persia and northern Europe. One defining characteristic of the pear is its self-sterility: although its flowers are bisexual—each flower containing both stamens (male organ) and an ovary (female organ)—the tree cannot self-pollinate. To bear fruit, another pear variety must be planted nearby.
Pears can be consumed fresh or cooked. Additionally, pear tree wood is particularly valued for carving and crafting delicate precision instruments.
While the pear is not mentioned in the Torah, the Mishnah notes it as a species that may be grafted with kerustomelin, without violating the kilayim prohibition. Many commentators identify kerustomelin (קרוסטמלין), which appears in Rabbinic literature in various contexts, as the Syrian pear—a wild species from which the cultivated pear was domesticated.
The Syrian pear grows in Israel, primarily in the north, at elevations above 600 meters. Its fruit closely resembles the cultivated pear but is smaller and contains hard lumps. Besides the agasin mentioned in the Mishnah, the cultivated pear is also associated with two other species mentioned in Rabbinic literature: chizrad (חזרד) and uzradim (עוזרדים).
Kilei Ilan (grafting mixed species). Similar to many fruit trees, the cultivated pear needs to be grafted onto a suitable rootstock. The Mishnah states that the pear can be grafted onto kerustomelin, identified as the Syrian pear. Grafting the pear onto this rootstock is possible today, albeit on a small scale. Another rootstock professionally used extensively in the marketplace is quince, but grafting pear onto quince is halachically prohibited because they are different species, constituting kilei ilan.
In recent years, extensive research has been conducted, led by a researcher from Torah VeHa’aretz Institute, to find a pear rootstock that meets both halachic and professional requirements. Betulifolia is one successful pear rootstocks that provides both a professional and halachic solution. The Garden of Mitzvot features both the Betulifolia and OHF pear rootstocks.
Orlah and netah revay (waiting three years for fruit and fourth-year trees): Since it is a tree, one must wait three orlah years before using, eating, or benefiting from its fruit. On the fourth year, a special blessing is recited to transfer the sanctity of the fourth-year fruit to a coin.
Onat hama’aserot (tithing season). Once produce begins to ripen, terumot and ma’aserot may be separated from produce. This called onat hama’aserot, “tithing season,” and the parameters that determine this time differ among various types of produce. The Mishnah states that p begin to ripen misheyakrichu, literally when they form bald spots. The Mishnah might be referring to the stage when light spots appear on a dark green pear, i.e., the stage of color change. At this time, the fruit begins to be juicy and sweet.
לע”נ אמי מורתי אסתר בת דוד הוקדש ע”י בנה מרדכי מיטץ
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