(Mishnah) Question: From when may one eat fruits of the tree in Sheviis? (The pasuk prohibits wasting Sheviis produce and if they are eaten before they ripen, their real potential benefit is wasted.)

Unripe figs - when they turn red (they begin to ripen), one may eat them in the field with his bread, but not in the house. Once they fully ripen, he may bring them into his house. Similarly, in the other years (of the Shemittah cycle), when the fruits have fully ripened, they must be tithed.

Unripe grapes - when they contain liquid, he may eat them in the field with his bread; when they ripen, they may be taken home. And similarly, in the other years (of the Shemittah cycle), when they have ripened, they must be tithed.

(Gemara): What's the meaning of 'fully ripen'?

Answer (R. Chiya bar Ba): It has ripened and appears large. As the pasuk states (Zecharia 11:8), "(I removed the three shepherds in one month, and My soul became impatient with them,) for their soul also ("Bachala'') found Me repulsive''. (The meaning here is that it grew and weighed heavy.)

The pasuk states (Vayikra 25:7), "and to your animal and to the beast that is in your land, all of the produce shall be to eat''. (This refers to eating in the house - as domesticated animals eat in the house.)

(R. Yosi ben Chanina): Two pesukim speak about two cases of eating produce - one in the house and one in the field. The pasuk that refers to eating in the field is (Vayikra 25:12), "you shall eat its produce from the field''. (This is the teaching of the Mishnah, that unripe figs may be eaten in the field when they turn red; and once they fully ripen, he may bring them into his house.)

Question (R. Yosi ben Chanina): May one make a bandage for a wound from unripe figs? Is it prohibited since he may eat them with his bread in the field (and it is considered food) or is it permitted since he doesn't bring them into house (so it is not considered real food)? (The Gemara leaves this question unanswered.)

Question (Mishnah in Uktzin): Unripe figs and grapes - R. Akiva says that they can immediately contract Tumah of food. R. Yochanan ben Nuri says that it's only when they become obligated in Ma'asros.

Even though R. Akiva said immediately, it really means from when the unripe figs turn red and from when the unripe grapes contain liquid.

(R. Chananya citing Reish Lakish): Those Tannaim were discussing unripe figs - but for other unripe fruits, they only contract Tumah of food when they become obligated in Ma'asros.

(R. Yosa): Our Mishnah said the same - 'Unripe figs - when they turn red, one may eat them in the field with his bread'

(R. Padas citing R. Yochanan): All (both Tannaim) agree over Sheviis.

Question: What's the meaning of 'all agree'?

Answer (Chevraya): They agree that it receives the sanctity of Sheviis, even if it doesn't contract Tumah of food.

Kor (Heart of palm) is like wood in every respect, except that it can be bought with Maaser Sheni money (as it's edible when soft).

Kafnios (unripe small dates of the male date palm) contract Tumah of food but are not obligated in Ma'asros.

R. Yehuda ben Pazi expounded in the Beis Midrash - Kor doesn't have the sanctity of Sheviis.

When they asked R. Yosa about the sanctity of Sheviis of Kor, he was critical and said to them, "Why are you asking? It's obvious that it has the sanctity of Sheviis. Who told you different?'' They told him that R. Yehuda ben Pazi said it. R. Yosa told them that a Baraisa contradicts him...

(Baraisa): Unripe Sheviis figs may not be boiled (as they must be left on the tree to ripen). Mesuyafos (unripe figs of the end of the summer) may be boiled, because that's the normal way to eat them. Kor and Kafniyos are like wood (and may not be boiled).

Question: May one not boil wood? Since it has the sanctity of Sheviis, it's therefore forbidden to boil.

Question: What will you say about unripe grapes? (Why does the Mishnah teach that he may eat his bread with them once they contain liquid - they still aren't really ready to eat? Why isn't it considered to be wasting Sheviis produce?)

Answer (R. Avun): People eat them as an appetiser.