Page 16 - HaMizrachi #33 Sukkot 2021 USA

Shemitta at Har Sinai?

Rabbanit Sharon Rimon

ashem spoke to Moshe Faith in G-d is the root of all the mitz- the seventh year, if we may neither sow
on Mount Sinai: vot. Although each mitzvah possesses nor gather in our crops?’ I will ordain
Speak to the people unique meaning, Shemitta is the apex My blessing for you in the sixth year so
“Hof Israel and say to of faith. Its laws convey belief in G-d in that it shall yield a crop sufficient for
them: ‘When you enter the land that I the most significant way: the ability to three years” (Vayikra 25:20–21).
assign to you, the land shall observe a trust in G-d and depend on Him entirely While faith is critical to the Shemitta
sabbath of Hashem’” (Vayikra 25:1–2). for our existence. year, we do not rely on faith alone but

Rashi famously asks Mah inyan Shem- Generally, the Torah does not require instead prepare for Shemitta with six
itta aytzel Har Sinai, “What special con- us to refrain from working and to do years of hard work and preparation.
nection does Shemitta have to Mount what is necessary to not only survive In general, G-d does not want us to
Sinai?” Rashi offers a perplexing but also thrive. On the contrary: We are abandon work and to regularly rely
answer: “Just as the laws of Shemitta required to make every effort toward on miracles. Instead, we must balance
human effort with trust in G-d.
were given at Mount Sinai, so too all our livelihood. Man was created “to
of the mitzvot and their details were work and preserve” the land. The Torah
given at Sinai.” However, the question repeatedly emphasizes the need for
remains: Why was Shemitta chosen to physical labor to ensure the world’s
teach this foundational principle of continued existence. Even the laws of
Jewish belief? Ostensibly, any mitzvah Shemitta begin with the need to work While faith is critical to the
could have been selected to teach us the land throughout the first six years: Shemitta year, we do not rely on
that all of the mitzvot and their details “Six years you may sow your field and faith alone but instead prepare
six years you may prune your vineyard
were given to our people at Mount and gather in the yield” (Vayikra 25:3). for Shemitta with six years of
Sinai. hard work and preparation.
Similarly, when describing Shabbat, the
The Netivot Shalom explains: “The gen- Torah first states: “Six days you shall
eral root of all the mitzvot is a matter labor and do all your work” (Shemot At the same time, the faith that we
of faith. Additionally, each mitzvah has 20:9). The Rabbis explain that for six strengthen during the Shemitta year
something special and specific that no days each week we must work for our is the proper basis for our hard work
other mitzvah has… But the mitzvah of livelihood and the building up of the during the other six years. Those who
allow the land to rest during Shemitta
Shemitta, which demands the highest world, while on the seventh day we develop faith and confidence in G-d,
levels of faith, is special… This mitzvah must rest and remember Hashem Who knowing that the land and its fullness
requires a Jew to abandon his field – sustains us. Similarly, for six years we belong to our Father in Heaven.
the source of his livelihood – for an work the land and cultivate our bread,
entire year, even though he does not while in the seventh year we remember
know where his food will come from. that the land belongs to G-d and trust
All this is only possible because of his in Him to give us what we need. “And Rabbanit Sharon Rimon teaches Tanach and
faith in Hashem…” should you ask, ‘What are we to eat in is Content Editor for the HaTanakh website.

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