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Yoshon is a concept within Kashrut, the dietary regulations of Judaism. The word Yoshon literally means "old" and refers to the prohibition contained in the Torah (Leviticus 23:14) of eating from the new crops of certain grains (Chodosh) before the Omer offering from the new harvest was brought to the Temple on the second day of Passover. This sacrifice is made annually on the second day of the Passover [Pesach] holiday celebration. This marked the beginning of Sefirat Ha'omer. In classical rabbinical literature, this requirement was restricted, becoming applicable only to the five classical grains of Judaism - wheat, barley, oats, spelt, and rye. Since there is no Omer offering in post-Temple times, the second day of Passover itself marks the end of the prohibition against eating from the new grains.

Those scrupulous in their observance of Torah prohibitions are careful to eat those products made of only Yoshon grains. Yoshon means ‘old’. Chodosh or “new grains,” are those grains which have not been in existence to see a Passover.

Grains are considered Chodosh, or ‘new,’ unless they were already in existence at the time of the Omer sacrifice in Jerusalem’s holy temple [בית המקדש].

Therefore, grains planted or harvested after Passover may only be used the following year. Foods made from flour of ‘new’ grain may not be used in the production of food acceptable to those careful about following the rules specified in the Torah. Only ‘old’ grain may be used.

The Torah (Leviticus: 23:14) prohibits eating grains that are “new.” Grains which have already been harvested are no longer “new” after the Passover celebration has passed. Grains which have not yet been harvested, but which are already mature are considered in the same category.

Since the destruction of the second temple in 70AD, the Omer sacrifice has not been brought, and observance of this rule has in great measure lapsed. At least one major opinion about this rule restricts its application to grains grown in biblical Israel. Since the exile of Jews from their ancestral land, this together with other exceptions to the Chodosh and Yoshon law has been relied upon in nearly unanimous fashion, at least in Ashkenazic circles. The essential nature of flour-based foods such as bread has made such observance at best difficult; however, those particularly careful about their religious observances have for centuries been sensitive to this rule and adhered to its tenets.

The manner in which various foods has historically been available has caused Jewish populations to risk starvation, if they were to pursue stringent complience with Kashrut; combined with at least one major opinion about yoshon, which further restricts it to only concern grains grown within the lands of the former Kingdoms of Israel and of Judah^{[citation needed]}, this has caused the observation of the yoshon regulation to be relatively limited until very recently (at least in the Ashkenazic community).

In Europe, and other places, kosher food was scarce to begin with, people were not able to be even more stringent on their diets. As a result, observance of Yoshon and Chodosh has been relatively limited until very recently (at least in Ashkenazic circles).

However, in America, thanks to the vast production of the American bread basket and the general prosperity, grain is in sufficient abundance that the situation allows people to be interested in following this commandment.

Modern packaging practices, which in some nations involve the stamping of production dates on every package, often allow individuals to readily indicate whether food is definitely yoshon; packaging organisations sometimes add Kashrut information to the packaging, and sometimes include in this information whether the product is known to be yoshon.

References

Joseph Herman, A Guide To Chodosh

Footnotes

External Links

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 Since the destruction of the second temple in 70AD, the Omer sacrifice has not been brought, and observance of this rule has in great measure lapsed.  At least one major opinion about this rule restricts its application to grains grown in biblical Israel.  Since the exile of Jews from their ancestral land, this together with other exceptions to the '''Chodosh''' and '''Yoshon''' law has been relied upon in nearly unanimous fashion, at least in [[Ashkenazic]] circles.  The essential nature of flour-based foods such as bread has made such observance at best difficult; however, those particularly careful about their religious observances have for centuries been sensitive to this rule and adhered to its tenets.
+The manner in which various foods has historically been available has caused Jewish populations to risk starvation, if they were to pursue stringent complience with Kashrut; combined with at least one major opinion about ''yoshon'', which further restricts it to only concern grains grown within the lands of the former [[Kingdom of Israel|Kingdoms of Israel]] and [[Kingdom of Judah|of Judah]]{{cite needed}}, this has caused the observation of the ''yoshon'' regulation to be relatively limited until very recently (at least in the [[Ashkenazic]] community).
-Observance of '''Yoshon''' and '''Chodosh''' has been relatively limited until very recently (at least in [[Ashkenazic]] circles) because in [[Europe]], and other places, kosher food was scarce to begin with, people were not able to be even more stringent on their diets.  However, in [[United States|America]], thanks to the vast production of the American bread basket and the general prosperity, grain is in sufficient abundance that the situation allows people to be interested in following this commandment.
+In [[Europe]], and other places, kosher food was scarce to begin with, people were not able to be even more stringent on their diets. As a result, observance of '''Yoshon''' and '''Chodosh''' has been relatively limited until very recently (at least in [[Ashkenazic]] circles).
+However, in [[United States|America]], thanks to the vast production of the American bread basket and the general prosperity, grain is in sufficient abundance that the situation allows people to be interested in following this commandment.
-The practice of stamping production dates on every package revolutionized the practice of Yoshon. Due to efficient packaging, most products can be dated accurately. Kashrut organizations are adjusting to utilize this new accurate information. A novel issue has developed - how much "effort and difficulty" is involved in acquiring and applying the information.
+Modern packaging practices, which in some nations involve the stamping of production dates on every package, often allow individuals to readily indicate whether food is definitely ''yoshon''; packaging organisations sometimes add Kashrut information to the packaging, and sometimes include in this information whether the product is known to be ''yoshon''.
-'''Yoshon''' foods might be indicated on its packaging.  To find out where to obtain local '''Yoshon''' products, you can either look online for a list of approved foods or contact your local [[Rabbi]].
 ==References==