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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Behar
Chazal’s statement does not tell us why this lesson is taught specifically in connection to the laws of Shemitta. Our answer is that Shemitta is special in its requiring great faith in Hashem to fulfill, in essence relying upon a miracle. In general, we believe in miracles, but we do not rely upon their coming when we want them. In this case, if we do not work and sow the land in the seventh year, we should expect to run out of food during the seventh/eighth year. However, this mitzva comes with a promise that Hashem will decree a unique blessing in the sixth year to sustain us until the produce of that which is sown in the eighth year is ready for harvest. This is as the Torah writes: "Shall you say: ‘What will we eat in the seventh year, for indeed we shall not sow and will not gather our produce?’ I will command My blessing to you in the sixth year, and the produce will suffice for the three years" (Vayikra 25:20-21).
Besides the promise of sufficient produce to subsist upon, the Torah also made another promise concerning Shemitta: "You shall live in security [in the Land]" (ibid. 19). In contrast, if the people would not observe Shemitta, the Torah foretells exile: "Then the Land will claim its sabbaticals all of the days that it will be desolate and you will be in the land of your enemies … as you did not cease from working the Land during the sabbaticals when you inhabited it" (ibid. 26:34-35).
Since the time of initial exile from Eretz Yisrael, more than 2,500 years ago, the obligation to observe the mitzva of Shemitta has (according to most opinions) been lowered to a Rabbinic level. Certainly, we are careful even regarding Rabbinic commandments and try to keep more severe and even less severe obligations. The problem is that the crucial promise of abundance in the sixth year’s produce does not apply when the mitzva is not from the Torah.
At the beginning of the era of the return to Zion and the renewal of agriculture in Eretz Yisrael, a new opportunity arose to observe the mitzvot of the Torah that are linked to the Land. When it came to the mitzva of Shemitta, the question arose how to fulfill this special mitzva. We invite our readership to learn the many divrei Torah from the past and especially from our series of Moreinu classes, where we present the intricacies and discuss the various ways of dealing with the challenges inherent in Shemitta observance. Unfortunately, there is no one ideal approach to fulfilling all the halachic requirements without unfortunate leniencies that have become necessary. May Hashem send us His blessings of living peacefully in the Land in unity, which will be a fitting merit for those who gave their lives making Jewish sovereignty a reality.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
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.
