Leviticus 19:23 "For three years it be forbidden to you; it shall not be eaten"

Shevi's class went on a visit to the Museum of Art where there was an open workshop on pottery making.

Shevi and her classmates crowded around the pottery maker, watching him at work.

The man sat on a stool, hunched over a wooden table, with a deep bowl upon it. He pressed on a pedal which made the bowl twirl round and round, carefully shaping the bowl, using his long fingers to press out any bumps.

The girls were fascinated by the potter and applauded him when the bowl was molded. Much to their surprise, the potter looked disappointed and set the bowl aside. He took another piece of clay and started all over again.

The potter worked quickly and soon enough another new bowl was shaped.

Again the potter wasn't satisfied with his bowl.

After completing the third bowl, the potter held it up proudly and nodded gently as the girls complimented his art.

"Mrs. Cohen," Shevi asked her teacher as they moved onto another exhibit, "the first two bowls looked fine to me. Why didn't the potter like them?"

"I don't really know," answered Mrs. Cohen. "They looked all right to me, too. But every craftsman has his own standard. I suppose he knows his art best and probably decided that the first two were not exactly what he wanted."

HaShem, the "Master Craftsman" of this world created many things for us to use and enjoy.

In His wisdom, HaShem gave certain laws and rules.

One of these rules concerns eating from the fruit of trees.

We are forbidden to eat the fruits which grow upon a tree during the first three years after the tree is planted.

This fruit is called "Orlah".

Like the potter who cast aside his work until he was satisfied, so too, the Torah commands us to cast aside this fruit that grew during the first three years.

The Torah does not give us a reason for this Negative Mitzvah.

We must understand and accept that the "Master Craftsman," HaShem, has declared them unfit to eat.