06-05-2008, 12:49 PM
This is a very good question, and it's not hypothetical. There are some non-observant Jewish famers in Israel who continue to produce and export fruits during the Sabbatical years (this year by the way is a Sabbatical year), and this produce can show up as canned or fresh fruit in US stores (marked as a product of Israel).
I asked Rabbi Moshe Weiner, author of "Sefer Sheva Mitzvot HaShem," about your question. He said that for the duration of the diaspora, the special status of the Sabbatical year fruits that grow in Israel is a Rabbinical decree, to maintain the rememberance of the precepts of the Sabbatical year for Jews. Gentiles are not obligated to avoid buying and eating these fruits, especially after they have already been sold and exported.
I asked Rabbi Moshe Weiner, author of "Sefer Sheva Mitzvot HaShem," about your question. He said that for the duration of the diaspora, the special status of the Sabbatical year fruits that grow in Israel is a Rabbinical decree, to maintain the rememberance of the precepts of the Sabbatical year for Jews. Gentiles are not obligated to avoid buying and eating these fruits, especially after they have already been sold and exported.