shemitah

This means that here in Eretz Yisrael, this is not just any old Rosh Hashanah, but the beginning of the shemitah year, the seventh year of the seven-year cycle.

The seventh year | Jewschool 2007

Like the other agricultural commandments, shemitah is observed only in the land of Israel.

The seventh year | Jewschool 2007

I was thumbing through it and saw a part that said that when saying the shehecheyanu blessing after lighting candles on this Rosh Hashanah, one should have the kavanah intention to accept the shemitah year on oneself.

The seventh year | Jewschool 2007

A few weeks ago, when I was still in New York, I was in a Jewish bookstore and saw a “practical guide to shemitah” on display.

The seventh year | Jewschool 2007

Separate from any actual observances, there are plenty of valuable messages from shemitah: the idea of Shabbat on a longer timescale, mandating rest both for people and for the land; recognition of human impact on the environment; etc.

The seventh year | Jewschool 2007

In particular, the haredi kashrut certifying agencies do not, and they will only permit imported produce which is grown outside Israel, and therefore not subject to shemitah.

The seventh year | Jewschool 2007

“I’m convinced that shemitah as originally conceived is unsustainable without outside help …and so I don’t plan to pay any attention…”

The seventh year | Jewschool 2007

Is there anything specific that I can do (in thought or action) in regard to shemitah that is specific to this time (the 7th year) and place (Israel)?

The seventh year | Jewschool 2007

The reasoning is that the restrictions of shemitah no longer apply if the land is owned by a non-Jew, so the farmers can go on producing and selling their crops as usual.

The seventh year | Jewschool 2007

The current controversy over shemitah is about which loopholes are ok to use.

The seventh year | Jewschool 2007