- Question: Why in England and places similar to it can they rely on the leniency that in 3 days wheat seeds will take root before the counting of the Omer in regards to yoshon?
Background:
A. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 489:10) says it is forbidden to eat from the new grain even nowadays…until the beginning of the night of the 18th of Nissan, and in Israel until the beginning of the night of the 17th of Nissan. (The Mishna Berura and Beur Halacha there explain at length how people nowadays are lenient in this halacha.)
B. The Mishna Berura in note 44 says that which is forbidden from the new grain to eat is grain that took root after the 16th of Nissan which is when they used to bring the Omer offering. If the grains took root before the Omer, the Omer made them permissible to eat. This mitzvah only applies to the five types of grain, wheat, barley, spelt, rye, and oats.
C. There is an argument between the Sha”ch and Terumas Hadeshen whether it takes two weeks for these grains to take root or 3 days. (See Shach in Yoreh Deah 293:2 and Nekudas HaKesef there.)
D. The Responsa of the Minchas Yitzchok (Volume 6, chapter 43) says places like England can rely on the Terumas Hadeshen that it takes 3 days for the grain to take root, why?
Answer: It rains a lot in England so roots take root quicker.