The heter mechira came about in the first shmitta year, 5649 (1888), after thousands of years in exile. Some opposing poskim changed their positions when they saw how urgent the situation was. Anti-Zionism caused more opposition.
Does the biblical prohibition in the title of the article contradict the application of heter mechira (selling land temporarily to a non-Jew during the shmitta year).
“What is the difference between shemittah and shevi’is?”
“What are sefichin?”
“I consider myself fairly well-educated, which may be a mistake. But I recently heard a term that I never heard before: heter otzar beis din. What does this term mean?”
A review of key halachos of The Shmita year.
Extensive and precise guide for garden care in Shemita year. Information on preparing your garden for the Shemita year and caring for your garden during the Shemita year, to detail.
The Bikkurim ceremony is about much more than just one farmer’s gratitude for his individual harvest. It is rather a reminder of the centrality of the Land of Israel, and the inalienable connection we have with this specific little corner of the world.
The rationale behind Shmita, is to create for us a “Shabbat Shabbaton” every 7 years. Like the contemporary Sabbatical, this results in a complete change in our routine, a break from the norm, a chance to recharge the batteries & then make a new start, refreshed & reinvigorated.
We should note that the Torah mentions two different factors that permit the new grain –
it “may not be eaten until that very day – until you bring the offering to your G-d.” This
seems to be a bit contradictory. What permits the new grain, the day -- or the offering
that transpires in the course of the day?
The New Korban
The Torah (VaYikra 25:1-7) teaches that every seventh year is shmittah and prohibits
working the land of Eretz Yisrael. During that year; one may not plow, plant, or work the
field in any way. Furthermore, the farmer must treat whatever grows by itself on his land
as ownerless, allowing others to pick and keep his fruit.
