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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
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This, incidentally, was also the case with the beautiful land of Gush Katif. The locals in Gaza were not successful in growing much until the Jewish farmers came along and turned that area into an agricultural paradise.
This phenomenon has much to do with this week's parsha and the mitzvah of shmita.
Is it rest for the man or for the land?
On the one hand, the Torah describes how the Jewish farmer must rest on the year of shmita and not work the land. On the other hand, there is a phrase that keeps repeating itself, "shabbat ha'aretz"- the shabbat of the land. This seems to indicate that there is another aspect to the commandment of shmita. Not only does the Jew need to halt his working of the land, but the land itself must rest!
Now, you may think that this is a strange theoretical issue, but the truth is that the poskim discussed this a great deal (see 'Leor Halacha', Rav Zevin: shmita). There is a major consequence of practical importance to this question, namely, would a non-Jew be allowed to work on Jewish land during the year of shmita? If the mitzvah that year is for the Jew to rest from working the land, then there should be no problem with non-Jews working it. However, if we claim that the land must rest (by being left alone) then by allowing non-Jews to work it we are in essence cancelling its "shvita" (rest).
This halackic discussion seems to be a philosophical one that leads to a deeper understanding of the mitzvah of shmita. This teaches us that something also happens to the land itself during the year of shmita. The crops that grow during this year could be looked at as 'holy'. This holiness or its kedushah does not only come about by the person's act of rest. Rather, Hashem's presence in the entire agricultural process is emphasized and brought to the forefront.
The prohibition of working the land during the year is not only so the farmer rests but also to enable the land to return to its essence and holiness. This brings blessing, not only to the seventh year, but to the entire cycle of the seven years.
The land responds and reacts to us
At the end of the parsha we see an interesting but frightenng warning. The galut (exile) comes as a consequence of the Nation of Israel not observing shmita: "And I will scatter you among the nations, and I will draw out the sword after you; and your land shall be a desolation, and your cities shall be a waste, Then shall the land be paid her sabbaths…even then shall the land rest, and repay her sabbaths". (Vayikra 26:33).
Rashi brings up that this is an accurate calculation - the 70 years of exile we suffered between the first and second Temple is punishment for the seventy years of Shmita that were violated. This shows us something amazing- the land responds to us! It isn't just a piece of real estate. There is harmony between the nation and the land.
The land wakes up in the Geula
The harsh details of the exile are described in this week's parsha of Bechukotai. However, 'chazal', our great rabbis, help us see the bright side: "And I will bring the land into desolation; and your enemies that dwell therein shall be astonished at it" (Vayikra, 26, 32).
Rashi explains that this is actually a good thing- our enemies will not be able to develop the land and produce anything. Essentially, Eretz Yisrael remains 'loyal' to the Nation of Israel. During the period of the geula the land wakes up and starts giving us its fruit. This is considered a sure sign of geula (Gemara Sanhedrin 98).
May we see the fulfillment of all prophecies along with the observance of all the mitzvot connected to the Land, including shmita.
Peninei Halakha 5. Weddings and Engagements during the Omer Period
Chapter 3: Customs of Mourning during the Omer Period
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.
