In this week's parsha it is written, "שֵׁ֤שׁ שָׁנִים֙ תִּזְרַ֣ע שָׂדֶ֔ךָ וְשֵׁ֥שׁ שָׁנִ֖ים תִּזְמֹ֣ר כַּרְמֶ֑ךָ וְאָסַפְתָּ֖ אֶת־תְּבוּאָתָֽהּ" and "וְסָפַרְתָּ֣ לְךָ֗ שֶׁ֚בַע שַׁבְּתֹ֣ת שָׁנִ֔ים שֶׁ֥בַע שָׁנִ֖ים שֶׁ֣בַע פְּעָמִ֑ים וְהָי֣וּ לְךָ֗ יְמֵי֙ שֶׁ֚בַע שַׁבְּתֹ֣ת הַשָּׁנִ֔ים תֵּ֥שַׁע וְאַרְבָּעִ֖ים שָׁנָֽה"
(25:3,8) These pesukim discuss shemita and yovel.
There is much to discuss about shemita and yovel. For example, in 25:8 why does the pasuk say "שֶׁ֥בַע שָׁנִ֖ים שֶׁ֣בַע פְּעָמִ֑ים"? Isn't that repetitious? Rashi explains that one might think to keep seven successive years as shmita and keep the year immediately following it as the yovel year. The pasuk writes "שֶׁ֥בַע שָׁנִ֖ים שֶׁ֣בַע פְּעָמִ֑ים" to teach us that each seven-year cycle has to be done in its time.
- What are some other examples of interesting wording that can be found in the discussion of yovel and shemita?
- Why 7 and 50? What is the significance?
- What connections (numbers, ideas) can be made to other places in the torah?
- How does shemita and yovel comment on the land of Israel?
- What can we learn from the laws of shemita and yovel?
The Ramchal says that when we are aware of the sanctity of things, it helps us see Hakadosh Baruch Hu and how He created that (object/food...). We can get closer to Hashem in ways other than spiritual. For example, the shmita year can help strengthen relationships between man and Hakadosh Baruch Hu by giving man a greater appreciation for the food he eats each day. He then realizes that Hashem is the sole provider, the one who ensures that he gets everything he needs to sustain himself. The shmita year/cycle is a reminder for everyone. It forces people to see things from a different perspective, hopefully leading them closer and closer to Hashem.
ReplyDeleteThrough the laws of Shmita and Yovel, Rabbi Wise says that we can learn crucial social values. As the Torah talks about Yovel and Shmita, it states the way we should act, in order to have an ideal society, in a world where everyone is equal and treated fairly.
ReplyDelete--Gabriela Beyda
According to Rav Shwartz, the number seven is connected to the idea of shabbos. Shmitah may distract us from the main reason why we do shmita, which is to serve Hashem. The strenuous labor of farming and giving away your hard worked produce may even result in one becoming unhappy with Hashem. Seven remind you that Shabbos is on the seventh day and we must remember Hashem, who created us in seven days and loves us eternally.
ReplyDeleteOU.org says that shmita is a direct comparison to shabbos. The crops from the 6th year have to last for three years (6,7,8), but how is that possible? It's possible because HaShem will send brachos to the land and the crops from the 6th year will last for 3 years. This is an analogy to Shabbos, as celebrated initially by the Jewish People in the desert. There HaShem provided for them on Friday, Erev Shabbos, a double portion of Man, enough to last them the whole shabbos. These comparisons teach us that we have to trust that HaShem will take care of us and do what's best for us, even if it's hard to not work the field for a year.
ReplyDeleteThe Chizkuni says that the counting twice is for 2 different groups of people. It is also similar that in the Omer it tells two different groups to do this as well. One of the seven days talks to the individuals of bnei Israel and the other is for the more important people like those in the high court.
ReplyDelete-Shalhevet Abenaim
Rabbi Cohen says part of what we can learn from the shemita and yovel laws are the release of debts. This emphasizes the importance of our relationships with our fellow Jews, and to "forgive and forget". The seven years leading up to shemita relates to the seven days of the week and Shabbat. On Shabbat we have an elevated connection to hashem and so it is easier to get him to "forgive and forget"
ReplyDeleteBeit yesroel says that you're never supposed to ask what am I supposed to eat? You have to always have faith in Hashem that he will give you food. Therefore the significance of shmita and yovel is to always keep your faith in Hashem strong and always remeber Hashem.
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