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Shemitta-observant farmers, as doing while at the same time recognizing the We are privileged to partake of some of
so does not require much faith. inner spiritual calling that Shemitta the Shemitta realities that impact the
exhibits even in our day: lives of those who dwell in Israel, yet we
Many recent initiatives have focused also long for the day when all Shemitta
on inculcating Shemitta values into Let my master believe me that all these great observance will be complete with the
other sectors as well. Debt-relief and and lofty things that were stated regarding arrival of the Mashiach. Until that day,
debt-forgiveness ventures are an expan- the holiness of the seventh [year] in the may it speedily come, we hope that
sion of the values of shemittat kesafim, present era were not stated specifically these lessons of Shemitta, alongside
the financial Shemitta requiring loan regarding fulfillment of particular deeds, the opportunities to fulfill the laws of
remittance at the end of the agricul- for this holiness pertained even at such Shemitta in practice, continue to grow,
tural sabbatical year. Some rabbis time as [the people of] Israel were not in illuminating our perspective on Shem-
have called for an expansion of shevi’it the Land of Israel and the mitzvah of the itta and beyond.
to other sectors of the economy. There seventh [year] was not fulfilled at all. Prin-
are business people who have adopted cipally, it is a function of the gradual spread  This article is adapted from Rabbi Zim-
moderate forms of Shemitta for their of holiness through the ages, with the light merman’s book The Shemitta Sensation: A
businesses. of the Messiah drawn from potential into Deeper Look into the Jewish Sabbatical
reality as they come and go, so that the Year (Mizrachi Press, 2021).
Indeed, a year to stop, dedicate our time
to learning, and focus on family, other name of G-d, may His name be blessed, will
be sanctified from one end of the earth to
people, and our spiritual lives seems 1 Global, regional, and national burdens of ischemic
like a dream. Even if we are unable to the other and all will form a single group to heart disease and stroke attributable to exposure to
fulfill His will wholeheartedly. As for [the
dedicate an entire year to the endeavor, people of] Israel’s preparing themselves with long working hours for 194 countries, 2000–2016,
Environment International, Volume 154, September
whatever time we can commit to our faith and anticipation of the salvation of the 2021.
loftier goals can be our “Shemitta time” light of the Messiah and the full return of 2 Brief diversions vastly improve focus, researchers
over the year. The more meaningful the holiness of the Land of Israel, at which find, Illinois News Bureau, February 8, 2011, https://
we make it, the more likely we will be point Shemitta and Yovel will return in full news.illinois.edu/view/6367/205427.
to find more “Shemitta time,” and its force, all of the spiritual reparations that 3 Ferris Jabr, “Why Your Brain Needs More
impact will become more and more are performed in the higher realms, at all Downtime”, Scientific American, October 15, 2013,
pronounced. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/
levels, draw sustenance from this light. Thus mental-downtime.
It seems to me that there is also whoever performs an action to broaden the 4 World Earth Day: How coronavirus lockdowns
another way to strengthen Shemitta borders of Israel so as to expedite the ingath- changed the world’s most polluted cities, Indepen-
and its values. We have seen that Shem- ering of Israel to the Land of Israel, which dent, April 22, 2020, https://www.independent.
itta observance is a significant factor hastens the redemption – for the ingather- co.uk/climate-change/news/coronavirus-lock-
in our exile and subsequent return ing of exiles… precedes the coming of the down-pollution-earth-day-climate-change-india-it-
aly-us-a9477801.html.
to the land. The land is impacted by Messiah, and the light of Israel becomes 5
Stefan Sagmeister, “The Power of Time Off”,
every Jew who steps foot on it, and brighter little by little, as they of blessed TEDGlobal 2009, https://www.ted.com/talks/
even those who long to do so. Every memory said of the comparison to “the stefan_sagmeister_the_power_of_time_off. Winston
Jew counts; indeed, the reinstatement break of dawn” – he indeed rehabilitates Chen, a computer executive, followed this advice.
of Yovel (and the Biblical obligation of the holiness of the supreme oneness of the During that year, he took up a hobby that became
Shemitta) depends on the nation as a principle of the seventh [year], and there is the multi-million dollar company VoiceDream. In
Chen’s words, “the secret to success is a sabbatical
whole living in the land according to no end to the holy, supreme delights that are in the Arctic Islands.”
their ancestral plots. If Shemitta is to thus multiplied, and they are influenced by 6 Dr. Jeremy Benstein, “Stop the Machine! The Sab-
succeed in connecting us to our land the root of his soul and the soul of all Israel… batical Year Principle,” The Jerusalem Report, May
and strengthening our connection One who fears G-d ought to pursue both ave- 21, 2001, 35.
with Har Sinai and Torah study, its
seems that one of the most tangible nues, by endeavoring practically to bring
to life all the aspects of the holiness of the
ways of connecting to shevi’it values is seventh [year] – even in the present era, as
by strengthening Torah communities much as is possible – and by endeavoring as
in Eretz Yisrael – especially those con- well to expedite, with his deeds and influ- Rabbi Binyamin Zimmerman is the head
ducive to olim – by ensuring affordable ences, the rise of the horn of salvation and of World Mizrachi’s Musmachim Semicha
housing and shared resources, as well the revelation of the light of our righteous (rabbinic ordination) program. He also serves
as continuing to build up Eretz Yisrael Messiah, so that these occur sooner, as the as a senior educator at the Zomet Institute
physically and spiritually. and director of H.E.S.B.E.R. (Hebrew English
A member of lights are operative in their plentiful holiness Source Based Educational Resources) and
the Mizrachi In a powerful letter (dated 24 Sivan even if, G-d forbid, one’s deeds are not effec- is the author of The Shemitta Sensation,
Speakers Bureau 5675/1915), Rav Kook writes that we tive in practice, because the spiritual power From the Source and the With Spirit series
mizrachi.org/ must anxiously await that moment of a good intention regarding these holy and of educational books for middle and high
speakers when Shemitta will be transformed, lofty things has no limit and no measure… schools.

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