Chodosh and Yoshon #1

As we are in period between Pesach and Shavous I would like to begin a discussion on what I feel is a very little known aspect of Kosher food. The concern that apropos to this time period is the requirement of Yoshon (Old). Hopefully over the next few weeks we will come to understand and appreciate this Halacha. In the torah portion we read two weeks ago, Parshas Emor, the children of Israel are commanded not to eat any new flour (from the 5 grains: wheat, oat, barley, spelt and rye) until the Karbon Omer is brought. The Karbon Omer was brought on the 16th of Nisan, the second day of Pesach. Even though we do not bring Karbonos today, the Rabbis ruled that the 16th of Nisan is still the cut-off for grain and flour. Thus there is a potential Issur Deoraysa (prohibition in the torah) to eat any flour that did not exist on the 16th of Nisan. When do we view the flour as Yoshon (old) and when is it Chodosh (new)? The Gemara writes that the plant must take root before the 16th of Nisan to be considered Yoshon once the 16th of Nisan arrives. For example: if a plant took root on the 17th of Nisan one would have to wait a whole year, till the next 16th of Nisan to eat. However, if a plant took root on the 15th of Nisan, one could eat the next day. How long is the period between planting and rooting? This is a machlokes in the Gemara: Rebbi Yehudah says it takes 3 days, while Rebbi Yosi and Rebbi Shimon argue and say it takes two weeks. We paskin (rule) that it takes two weeks from the time the seed is sowed till rooting takes place. Thus, any wheat seed that was sowed prior to the 2nd of Nisan will be considered Yoshon, and permitted to be eaten once the 16th of Nisan comes along. In coming weeks we will discuss more aspects of this halacha. However, I figured we would do it slowly so everyone has time to digest the old stuff (no pun intended) before we proceed. It is of course important to note, that since the 16th of Nisan has just passed, even those people that only eat Yoshon can eat any flour now. This is due to the fact that any flour or wheat product you purchase now, and at least until Shavous, was for sure rooted prior to the 16th of Nisan (It takes some time for the seed to grow and be harvested and packaged and put on the shelf). So go enjoy the Shabbas knowing that with every bite of challah, rugalach, deli roll and barley in the chulent you are being M'kayim the Mitzva from the Torah of Yoshon. (The gemara says money spent on food for shabbas isn't subtracted from your yearly allowance from Hashem- Some poskim comment on this and say from here we see the carbs eaten on shabbas aren't included in the allotment allowed by your nutritionist).