Living with Faith and Blessing

The Parshah begins with the laws of Shemitah (the Sabbatical year).

HaShem commanded that the seventh year be a Sabbatical year, during which one must leave the land fallow: “Do not plant, do not harvest,” etc. (Leviticus 25). The reason is that, as HaShem says, “The Land belongs to Me.” This practice has even found its way into modern agriculture, where land is left fallow for a year in order to rejuvenate its minerals and restore vitality to help nurture future crops. This practice is still observed today. For example, farmers in the USA are sometimes aided by the government to keep their land fallow between planting cycles.

But as much as this may seem like “good advice,” this is not the Torah’s intention. When HaShem says, “The Land belongs to Me,” He is saying that the land, the earth, is His and only His. By leaving the earth fallow and observing this difficult Mitzvah, we accept HaShem’s commands, His Authority, His Malkhut. After all, an agrarian society that produces no crops cannot survive. But by fulfilling His commandment, HaShem shows that He can provide even when we do nothing!

The Torah states that when a Sabbatical year is followed by a Jubilee year (when the Laws of Shemitah also apply), we then face two consecutive years without planting crops. What should we eat? The Torah continues: “I will command My blessing so that the sixth year will provide sufficient yield to supply you with food for a three-year period, until you can again plant and harvest.” But this requires faith – that HaShem will provide for your needs during that entire period!

And this is the central point of Shemitah – faith. As we have mentioned several times, faith, Emunah, is Malkhut, authority. I have the authority to take a Sabbatical from my work because I KNOW that HaShem will provide. I do not have to mortgage myself for money, because HaShem has provided for me, does provide for me, and will provide for me. But I must believe, and strengthen that belief, again and again.

The blessing is there. How many people worry each month about paying their mortgage? And this has been going on for decades! Yet somehow we meet the payments. How? HaShem’s blessing. If we would strengthen our faith in HaShem, we would worry less and live better! Simple. So let us try to live with faith, turning to HaShem and asking for His blessing.

After all, He provides even when we do nothing! (Of course, it is better to secure a livelihood so that we are free to seek HaShem, Torah, and Mitzvot without worry. But how much energy have we invested in worrying? Better to invest that energy in HaShem!)

Have a great Shabbos!