bs"d
As an opinion piece to the JPOST, Avi Shafran, spokesperson for Agudath Yisroel of America writes:
My comment to Rabbi Shafran
Dear Rabbi Shafran, amv"sh
In your article it mentions that this year "100,000 acres are expected to be left fallow in accordance with the Torah's direction". My question to you is are these fields really open? If so, let's organize Shemittah picking tiyulim where groups have a fun time collecting produce and then cook up a storm and have Shemittah Kiddushim eating all the yummy food that was cooked.
In your article it mentions that this year "100,000 acres are expected to be left fallow in accordance with the Torah's direction". My question to you is are these fields really open? If so, let's organize Shemittah picking tiyulim where groups have a fun time collecting produce and then cook up a storm and have Shemittah Kiddushim eating all the yummy food that was cooked.
Here is how a Shemittah Tiyul can be arranged. Let one person be the driver, another person or the driver offer his/her vehicle and another offer to pay gas. Let all the passengers do the picking. Kids would have a blast! It's great for all ages. Best of all, lets eat!
I believe that the correct way to keep Shemitta is by having open fields and free to pick. Nowhere do I see that even encouraged. Why is it only open to Otzar Haaretz? Why do they put plastic in the ground and import earth from elsewhere and say it's Shemittah LeMehadrin? Where is the spirit of Shabbat according to Rabbi Shafran in the way Shemittah is observed? It's supposed to be a year of free eating from Jewish fields, and not a year of shortages or a year of Y.N. (Yevul Nochri) which has become Kosher LeMehadrin. Isn't that a contradiction of terms? His article makes it sound like the observance promoted by Agudah is truth. If it was truth than there is no way that Agudath Yisroel would be Silent regarding the State of Palestine. Because a State of Palestine is a direct result of not keeping Shemittah properly. It's a contradiction in terms. Saying Tehillim is wonderful but to keep Shemittah you need the LAND! To keep tefillin you need a hand and a head. The Torah was not given to Malachim who have no parents to keep Kibud Av VeAim. The Torah can be learned in Lakewood but is only can be observed in Eretz Yisroel on physical Land that has Jewish Sovereignty. Unless Abbas converts to Judaism, the State of Palestine which Agudath Yisroel has yet to publicly oppose will not observe Shemittah. Isn't it inconsistent to oppose HM (Heter Mechira) which is symbolic selling of the land and yet be complicit with Olmerts real plans to give not even sell the Land of Israel to our enemies?????
This will be posted on http://shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com
