The Secret of the Pit - The Mysterious Connection Between the Avocado Pit and Fruit

As Passover approaches, when there are communities that are careful about eating various foods due to stringencies and the customs of their ancestors, their eyes turn to the avocado fruit, which is an integral part of the holiday table. Many people testify to a wondrous phenomenon with avocados: when the avocado pit is left in a bowl of water, the fruit flesh does not brown, even when it is far from the pit.

From a scientific perspective, the browning of avocado is caused by the oxidation of phenolic compounds in the fruit flesh, a process accelerated by the enzyme polyphenol oxidase. There are several proven methods to prevent browning, such as coating the avocado with lemon juice or leaving the pit in the fruit, but there is no scientific evidence supporting that the pit in water affects the fruit from a distance.

Halachic Discussion - Avocados and Shabbat Laws

In the "LaBayit HaTorani" bulletin, an interesting case was discussed: A woman before giving birth, living in Kiryat Herzog, was concerned she might give birth on Shabbat. Her mother, living on the other side of Bnei Brak, wanted to know when she should leave for the hospital on Shabbat. The solution found was that the expectant mother would place the avocado pit in a glass of water, while the avocado itself would be given to the mother. When the mother-to-be would need to go to the hospital, she would remove the pit from the water, causing the avocado in her mother's possession to brown, thus indicating that she should leave. Her question was whether this would violate the prohibition of "coloring"?

In Responsa Mashmia Yeshua (Orach Chaim Section 32) by Rabbi Yehoshua Brizel, judge of Karlin, this question is discussed. His conclusion is that there is no concern about "coloring," and there is also no problem regarding "harvesting." However, since the pit is muktzeh (set aside, not to be handled on Shabbat), one should not remove it by hand but rather turn the vessel over so it falls out by itself. If the pit was in water since before Shabbat - there is no problem, but placing an avocado pit in water on Shabbat is forbidden because of the prohibition of "planting."

It is a known rule in Halacha that there is no prohibition of coloring in foods. Therefore, it is permissible to add turmeric to a dish or dip bread in wine, despite the color change (Shulchan Aruch 320:19).

The Biblical prohibition of coloring applies only when the color lasts for a long time, as in dyeing clothes or walls. The Sages extended the prohibition to coloring for a short time as well, but for foods, where color is not their essence, it was not prohibited (when the coloring is for the purpose of eating).

Some are stringent not to color liquids because coloring is more noticeable in them, and sometimes liquids are used to color various materials. Therefore, some say it is forbidden to color them (Ben Ish Chai, Second Year, Parashat Pekudei 3-4). However, according to most authorities, there is no prohibition of coloring even in liquids (Rema 320:2), and it is preferable to avoid it initially due to the concern of those who are stringent.