- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Mishpatim
And the Poor of Your Nation Shall Eat It
In parashat Mishpatim the Torah explains that the goal of the Sabbatical Year (Shemitta) is, "And the poor of your nation shall eat of it".
However, in parashat Behar the Torah emphasizes that everyone is able to eat, "And the Sabbath of the Land is for you to eat". It seems, simply, parashat Mishpatim emphasizes the communal, social aspect, while parashat Behar emphasizes the spiritual aspect, "Shabbat for Hashem". In spite of this, is the intent of the Torah at the end of the day is that everyone should be able to enjoy nourishment, or just the impoverished?
In addition, we need to explain how, after abandoning the field, one may eat of its fruits.
Chazal explain it is permissible for everyone to eat after they have been declared ownerless (hefkir) the field (and there is a dispute if the fruit that were not declared ownerless are permissible for all to eat). Furthermore, Chazal write that it is permissible for an individual to pick a small amount, for his needs at home.
Rav Blumensweig explains the matter as such: After one has declared all his fields ownerless, after he has also become "poor" relative to this field, it is permissible for him to eat of it. Meaning, "and the poor of your nation shall eat of it" or, "and the Sabbatical of the Land should be for you to eat" are actually overlapping concepts. After you understand that the things are not yours, after you understand that you, too are like an "impoverished" person and that everything is really the Master of the World’s, it is permissible for you to eat, too!
However, in parashat Behar the Torah emphasizes that everyone is able to eat, "And the Sabbath of the Land is for you to eat". It seems, simply, parashat Mishpatim emphasizes the communal, social aspect, while parashat Behar emphasizes the spiritual aspect, "Shabbat for Hashem". In spite of this, is the intent of the Torah at the end of the day is that everyone should be able to enjoy nourishment, or just the impoverished?
In addition, we need to explain how, after abandoning the field, one may eat of its fruits.
Chazal explain it is permissible for everyone to eat after they have been declared ownerless (hefkir) the field (and there is a dispute if the fruit that were not declared ownerless are permissible for all to eat). Furthermore, Chazal write that it is permissible for an individual to pick a small amount, for his needs at home.
Rav Blumensweig explains the matter as such: After one has declared all his fields ownerless, after he has also become "poor" relative to this field, it is permissible for him to eat of it. Meaning, "and the poor of your nation shall eat of it" or, "and the Sabbatical of the Land should be for you to eat" are actually overlapping concepts. After you understand that the things are not yours, after you understand that you, too are like an "impoverished" person and that everything is really the Master of the World’s, it is permissible for you to eat, too!
Living by Torah
Rabbi Berel Wein | Shvat 24 5782

“These are the Laws” – Like a Set Table
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Shvat 23 5777

The Absolute and the Conditional
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Shvat 5767

How to Mark a Free Person
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | 27 Shvat 5768

Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Rimon

Are We Ready?
5778

How Can Jealousy and Hatred be Turned into A Desire for Connection?
5778

Why drink four glasses of wine? Are we sots?
5778

Is Our Joy Complete
5778

Interesting Chol Hamoed Questions
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Tishrei 12 5781

Laws of the Lulav
How to choose a Lulav
Rabbi Ido Yaakovi | Tishrei 5776

The Time and Place for Netilat Lulav
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Tishrei 8 5780

May I Smell my Esrog and Hadasim on Sukkos?
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 5769

A Tale of Four Cities
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks | 13 Tishrei 5784
Filling the Vacuum – Literally
Rabbi Yehuda Zoldan | 14 Tishrei 5784
