Hebrew: גַּת, gāt
Family: Celastraceae
Scientific Name: Catha edulis
Apart from khat, there are almost no cultivated or wild plants from this family in Israel. The young leaves of the khat plant contain various stimulants that affect different systems in the human body. Under Israeli law, the plant can only be used by chewing its leaves; extracting the active substance and marketing or distributing it as a drug is prohibited.
Khat originates in East and Southeast Africa, and grows primarily in tropical regions.
Tree or vegetable: The khat is a woody perennial plant and is therefore halachically classified as a tree.
Orlah (waiting three years for fruit): Since the leaves of the plant are not consumed directly, but rather the active substances are extracted through chewing and then the leaves are discarded, the posekim debate whether it is subject to the laws of orlah and whether it is obligated in the separation of terumot and ma’aserot. A similar question was raised regarding sugarcane, which is used by extraction. In practice, there is no prohibition of orlah for the khat plant.
Terumot & ma’aserot (offerings & tithes): For the same reason, according to most opinons, there is no obligation to separate terumot and ma’aserot. To satisfy all opinions, it is recommended to do so without a blessing.
