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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
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.
