Pepper

Hebrew: פִּלְפֵּל, peelpel
Family: Solanaceae (nightshades)
Scientific name: Capsicum annuum

Sweet red pepper varieties are used to make paprika, while other varieties have a spicy taste, such as hot pepper, shivka, and chili pepper. The spiciness of the fruit depends on the concentration of capsaicin.
The pepper is a herbaceous plant with a woody lower part, usually grown as an annual plant, and its optimal growth occurs in the summer. However, under suitable conditions, it can be grown year-round. The plant can also yield for several years, typically two or three years, and there are varieties that last much longer, such as the Sudanese pepper variety, but the quantity and quality of the fruit decreases over the years.
For many years, Israel was a major supplier of peppers to various European countries, particularly during the winter months.

The pilpel is mentioned many times in the Mishnah. According to all opinions, this pepper is identified with different varieties of the Piper pepper plant, from which the black pepper spice is produced. The fruit we eat today as a salad vegetable is pilpelet (a diminutive of pepper).
The plant originates from the Americas and is one of the oldest plants domesticated there. The plant was introduced to Europe in the 16th century.

Tree or vegetable: Sweet pepper varieties typically produce fruit within a few months of planting and usually do not last beyond one growing season. Even in rare cases where the plant persists for a longer period, both the quality and quantity of the fruit decline significantly. As a result, the posekim have classified it as a vegetable.

The halachic discussion focuses on the spicy pepper varieties, some of which persist for several years. While the quantity of the fruit decreases and the fruits become smaller, this does not affect the active substance or the spiciness of the fruit, which may even become spicier. Therefore, some authorities argued that it should be considered a tree, and the laws of orlah should apply to it.

Infestation: The fruit of the pepper is considered a fleshy berry, containing seeds. The fruit is attached to the plant by a green stem. Often, insects are found at the junction between the fruit and its stem; at times, through this junction, insects enter the fruit’s interior. This should be taken into consideration when preparing and consuming the pepper.

לע”נ אבידן בן אברהם
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לע”נ צילינה בת פאני פרומה, אברהם אריה בן מירל משא, רחל בת שושנה