Uptodate Shemittah Information - Beth Medrash LeToras Eretz Yisroel - Rav Efrati

Bat Zion from self sustaining Shokeda asks FaigeRayzel

If you wish, please tell the group about Shmitta and the people and organizations that are promoting and supporting this mitzvah.

Do you know of any English-language seforim or pamphlets on the subject "How to Keep Shmitta?"

I would like to understand the basic halachot before I would start asking questions.

 

What other resources are you aware of for farmers and gardeners who want to keep Shmitta?

 

Thank you!

Bat-Tzion

 

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The Shemittah year is a year that is a Taste of the World to come.  Hebrew it is called Shabbat Haaretz.  It is a year that the Land rests.  It is a Sabbatical year that one is not allowed to work the Land.  The Land returns to G-d as it says Ki Li Kol Haaretz, The whole Land belongs to Me. (Exodus 19: 5) and we are to be a Mamlechet Kohanim Vegoy Kadosh, a Nation of Priests and a H-ly Nation.  It says Ki li Haaretz again in Leviticus 25:23 following the Laws of Shemittah and Yovel.  "The Land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is Mine; for you are sojourners and residents with Me.  In verse 18 in Chapter 23 it says "You shall perform My decrees, and observe My ordinances and perform them; then you shall dwell securely on the Land.

 

So from these Pesukim, the Torah states a direct connection between keeping the Mitzvah of Shemittah and dwelling securely in the Land. 

 

There are two parts to the Mitzvah of Shemittah.  On part is called Shemittah Karka  (the laws are discussed in Parshas Behar in Leviticus) and the other part is called Shemittas Kesafim (the laws are discussed in Parshas Reeh in Devarim). 

 

My discussion here will not be specific about the kind of work one may or may not do in the Shemittah year if you are a farmer.  I will focus on the proper spirit that I believe is inherent in keeping of the Mitzvah of Shemittah.  It is the spirit of Shabbat, a taste of the world to come.  It is a Sabbatical year a time to rejuvenate.  I believe that this year is a year of community.  It is a year where what's mine is subjugated to whatever I/we possess comes from our Creator. This spirit manifests itself both in Shemitas Karka as well as Shemitas Kesafim.  Therefore I believe this Mitzvah affects the entire nation whether or not one is a farmer.

 

The Shemittah year starts next Rosh Hashana in the Hebrew Calendar 5768.  From that time on the farmer must not work the Land.  He/she must allow his/her field to lie fallow. The fields are open to all.  One is obligated to loan to needy people whatever they may need and is not allowed to demand retribution at the end of the Shemittah year.  One must forego their loans. 

 

This Mitzva is considered one of the most difficult to keep and only the most faithful are able to keep it.  Much blessings are promised in the 6th year, enough to last for 3 years.

 

In the time of Hillel (after the destruction of the 2nd Temple, people were unwilling to give out loans.  Hillel instituted a Takana called the Pruzbul.  It is a way to get around foregoing loans).  Heter Mechira, selling the Land to Arabs for the Shemittah year was another loophole.

 

I am convinced that we should try to keep the Mitzvoth of Shemittah w/o loopholes in order to grow in faith and fear of G-d and we will be showered with blessings.  To do so is truly revolutionary and hasn't been attempted since the time prior to the 1st Temple.   It is written that there were 70 years of Galus between the first and 2nd Temple to represent  70 years of Shemitta not observed.  Since Shemittah is every 7 years does that mean that Shemittah was not observed properly the 490 years prior to the destruction of the 1st Temple?  If that is so,that brings us back to the time of the Judges even before the time of King David! Was Shemittah never really observed properly!?!? In the year 5747 I tried an experiment regarding Shemittah.  You can read about it http://shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com/2005/09/how-it-began-how-i-became-interested.html

 

I have a pamphelet in English written by Rabbi Kalman Kahana z"l Rabbi of Kibbutz Chofetz Chaim, an authority on the laws of Shemittah and a pioneer activist for Shemittah observance in modern day Israel, called "A guide for the year of Sh'mittah.  My copy was printed in 1979 by the "Institute for Agricultural Research according to the Torah of Poalei Agudath Israel".  The publishers of this pamphlet is Feldheim Publishers, J-M 

Feldheim Publishers Israel Office:
POB 46163
Jerusalem, Israel 91431

Phone: (02) 651-3947
Fax: (02) 653-6061

 Another pamphlet that I have is called Shemittah What It's All About, Compiled by Rabbi Eleizer Gevirtz byTorah Umesorah Publications Copyright 1983.  5723 Eighteenth Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11204 718-259-1223  publications@tupublications.com

 

I know that there was a Keren Shviis where farmers were being paid not to work on the Shemittah year.    The Torah Umesorah publication mentions National Center for  Shemittah Observing Farmers originating in Moshav Komemiyus.  Other communities mentioned are Beit Chilkiya, Kfar Gideon and Yesodot.

 

 

In Mishpacha Magazine this past week it mentions that Rabbi Efrati, confidant of Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv and world expert on the mitzvos of Eretz Yisroel,  has dedicated a Center called Beis Medrash Toras Eretz Yisroel in Har Nof Jerusalem.  His own great mission is a campaign to bring the special mitzvos of Eretz Yisroel to all sectors of the Jewish Nation. Financial backing came from a Poalei Agudas Yisrael municipality member, Reb Shlomo Druk z"l.   He also bought land on the outskirts of Har Nof. Three years ago the cornerstone was laid, this past Sukkos the dedication ceremony was held.  Other donors from NY and others contributed but the building is not yet finished and they are heavily in debt.

 

At this years Agudah Convention in Ct. I picked up a brochure for Kinyan Ha'aretz who mentions Rav Shaul Reichenberg known for his expertise particularly regarding seder Zeraim.  Rav Reichenberg is mentioned in the Mishpacha Magazine article Issue 136 December 6th, 2006.  "The new center is yet another accomplishment in Rav Efrati's continued campaign to elevate the halachos of Eretz Yisrael to their deserved place.  Plans to further that goal include learning the specific halachos, delivering lectures, and imparting the message to the greater public via the Keren Maasros headed by Rav Shaul Reichenberg, and the new halachic literature published by the Beis Medrash.....

 

In 1978, when talk spread of a new Beis Medrash in Jerusalem devoted to these halachos, many eyebrows were raised.  The initiative took off when Kollel Avreichim was transplanted from Shaalavim to Jerusalem.   Rav Kalman Kahane, zt"l then appealed to Rav Efrati, who at the time was a young Avreich and Maggid Shiur in a yeshivah in central Israel, to serve in the Kollel."

 

So this is the info that I have.  It seems that this Beis Medrash has it's roots from Rav Kalman Kahane zt"l from Kibbutz Chofetz Chaim. 

 

If anyone has any more info please email me.   I will post this on my blog http://shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com/

 

I hope this was helpful.

Agudah's reflection on the demonstration

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What was Avi Shafran's of Agudath Yisroel's take on the demonstration? Please read A ‘successful’ rally that forgot to invite the One who can actually make a difference
By Rabbi Avi Shafran

Rabbi Shafran was not impressed. He says that they emphasized "Kochi VeOtsem Yadi", my strength and my might instead of the Creator of the World.

I am glad that Rabbi Shafran saw that the organizers were not on the mark. Let me suggest to Rabbi Shafran that Shemittah is the antidote of Kochi VeOtsem Yadi. I suggest that he subscribe to this blog and read it from the beginning. If you know him directly please recommend this blog to him.

Thank you very much!

Message from Agudas Yisroel support the Rally and an important ADDENDUM

A MESSAGE FROM AGUDATH ISRAEL OF AMERICA

The scheduled visit to New York of the Iranian President – a man who has described the Holocaust as "a myth" and called for Israel to be "wiped off the map," a man who pursues destructive nuclear capacity in defiance of the entire world community, a man who sponsors terror and mayhem in the Middle East and beyond – should fill every civilized heart with revulsion.

And it should fill every Jewish heart with something more.

The arrival of this would-be heir to Hitler should remind all Jews how little has truly changed since millions of Jews were last targeted for destruction, r"l. And it should remind us, no less, of the uniquely vulnerable position of Yisroel bein ho'amim, Jewry among the nations, and of the fact that ein lonu al mi lehishoein ela al Avinu She'baShomayim – We can depend on no one but Our Father in Heaven.

Therefore, at this critical time, and during this season of introspection and repentance, we call upon all Jews to return to our sacred heritage, with tefillah and renewed allegiance to Torah, our eternal wellspring of life, the source of our strength to withstand all our enemies.

Along with our supplications, we feel it is our duty as well to express to the world our deep anguish over the presence in our midst of a vicious ruler who threatens genocide against Jews.

A number of Jewish groups are planning to gather outside the United Nations headquarters, at

Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza (2nd Avenue and 47th Street in Manhattan)

on Wednesday 27 Elul / September 20 at 12:00 noon

to present a collective Jewish expression of outrage at the General Assembly's hosting of the Iranian leader, of support for Israel's security and soldiers, and of solidarity in the fight against the global scourge of terrorism.

Whatever differences may separate us from some of those groups, we stand united here with all Jews.

Therefore, after consultation with the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah and following the precedent of the previous generation's Gedolim in similar circumstances, we urge all who are able to do so to participate in the planned gathering. We have been assured that a special section will be made available for men and women to gather in separate areas, and we will lift our voices in tefillah to Hashem, secure in the knowledge that

Bechol dor vodor omdim aleinu lechaloseinu veHakodosh Boruch Hu matzileinu miyodom.

In every generation, there are those who stand against us to annihilate us, but Hashem saves us from their hand.

--------------------------
Hakhel MIS
--------------------------

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ADDENDUM

Dear Agudath Yisroel of America and Malcolm Hoenlein, amv"sh

We are right to be concerned about Iran's nuclear capabilities and his rhetoric that Ahmadenojad will try to actualize if given the chance. That is why it is correct to try to stop him.

Only the Jew will be able to neutralize the threat.

But Agudath Yisroel of America and Malcolm Hoenlein, when we act on the interests of America only and forget what it means to be a Jew we are not effective.

The war is between Democracy vs. radical Islamic Fundamentalism. The Torah can mitigate the evils of both powers.

That is why these curses are happening. Our inactions, have shown that Democracy comes first and Torah second.

Bush's Roadmap and Torah are mutually exclusive. By SILENCE or by actual support, to choose Bush's Roadmap with Chaloimos (dreams) of 2 Democratic States living side by side in peace is a choice of Democracy over the Torah. That is where we Err big time. If we don't support Bush's Roadmap and the Convergence Plan then why don't we SPEAK UP at this rally! Now we have an audience!

There are many fine secular Jews like Buddy Macy that recognize that the Roadmap is suicidal. Yet, those of us that claim to be Orthodox Jews, and religious go to shul every Shabbos and listen to the Torah Readings still remain SILENT to the Roadmap Plan and Convergence Plan which blatantly disregards and reverses the Torah. That is a Chilul Hashem.

Only the Torah is an eternal agreement between G-d and the Nation of Israel - not Oslo and not the Roadmap Plan and not Convergence Plan.

Yesha, Hebron, Shchem, Aza is an integral part of Eretz Yisroel that is within the delineated borders specified in Parshas Masei.

It is no wonder that we have not spoken out against OLMERT, PERES, PERETZ, LIVNI AND HALUTZ the "leaders" of the State who have no regard for the Torah as well.

It is just a pity that we are misguiding people so wrongly.

A person will be judged by the influence he/she had. One's judgment be it good or bad will be magnified by those that he/she have influence over. We can choose between LIFE and DEATH. We can choose the Torah or we can Choose Democracy.

We can speak out for the Torah or choose to disregard the Torah and simply speak against Ahmadenojad. What we may fail to realize is that G-d is sending Ahmadenojad as his messenger because of us for disregarding the Torah.

The policies of the present Israel government and policies that we have tolerated, in exchange for payment of subsidies, has been the factor that has made us as a Jewish Nation deserving chas vechalila of the likes of Ahmadenojad. But not only have these policies that we have allowed to happen WITHOUT protest brought tragedy to Am Yisroel, starting with the Disengagement from Gaza and communities in the Shomron and Hebron, it spread then to the War in Lebanon and the inept way it was conducted. Now the cancer is spreading to affect the entire world. Am Yisroel is the vessel through which the entire world receives blessings and curses. The Christians know it and proclaim it.

This rally will be ineffective even if hundreds of thousands of people show. But even worse, if we continue to choose to disregard the Torah, we personally Chas Vechalila will be held responsible for the tragedies that will fall not only our people but also the entire world as a direct consequence of us, the Nation of Israel, disregarding the Torah.

Saying Tehillim is not enough. Renewing our Allegiance to Torah is a good start.

Publicly state that Torah and Eretz Yisroel are inseparable.

If we believe what the Torah says is true, then by doing Mitzvoth properly shouldn't we be experiencing blessings? Time for Cheshbon Hanefesh. Let us focus on the Mitzvoth in Parshath Devorim, that are specific to Eretz Yisroel and a physical piece of property, the actual LAND. As a starter let's desire to keep these Mitzvoth. And if we choose to focus on Lashon Hara rather than focusing on the Mitzvoth read at Hakhel in Sefer Devorim, then let's focus on the root cause of Lashon Hara which were the Spies.

If we wake up with nightmares and can not sleep, if we see another Holocaust in the horizon, now is the time to reverse the evil decrees.

The Iranian President is not the root of our problems. He is simply a manifestation of the symptoms of the disease. . The time is for us Am Yisroel, specifically the Leaders of Am Yisroel, like Agudath Yisroel of America, for once and for all time SPEAK LOUD AND CLEAR for the Torah and for the Mitzvoth that can only be done in Eretz Yisroel (whose boundaries are delineated in Parshas Masei) by Am Yisroel. VeShavu Banim Legvulum.

Hashem has called upon Heaven and Earth to be witnesses. The curses can come in many forms. The Iranian President is only one kind of a curse. Even if we succeed to knock him down, we would still have to contend with Mother Nature.

Sincerely,

Robin Ticker

Moshe Feiglin and Relational Database Theory

 

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Politics is not my thing but I can't understand why the most obvious merger is not being considered. Why don't the parties that have a common belief system and have consistently shown by their actions that  Eretz Yisroel is our Biblical Right,  use that as a common denominator to unite? 

 

Please visit http://shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com/2006/09/manhigut-yehudit-broader-coalition.html

 

My  guess is that it has to do with the concern to be the uncontested leader.  Each party is afraid that if there is a merger with like ideology  then there is a possibility with a merger that  they will not come out on top and be excluded from the picture. 

 

My background is in computer database. I will use computer relational database theory as a Mashal to this discussion.  Please read through this until the end, even if it may be cumbersome.  Another example of relational theory is the INTERNET itself where each post and each individual post have equal access. 

 

Many years ago in the 1970's the concept of computer databases was in its infancy.  Previously every computer was stand alone with it's own application.  Each computer had a tape drive or cards and using Cobol or a similar programming language, files were defined and data was stored in certain locations where the particular programmer defined them to be.  As the level of sophistication grew,  the programs required shared date that was embedded in other programs.  As the application grew the entire system became unmanageable.  Each program defined their own files and each program reinvented the wheel using the same data in a different format according to the whim of the programmer.One program that needed data that was stored in a different application had to figure out how the data was stored and how to access it or redo similar aspects of the other application. This led to much waste, duplication, data integrity was compromised, unnecessary reprogramming and much error.  The programs were unable to grow as the application grew in scope. So the concept of databases grew and from there was developed a Database Definition Language and Database programming language.  Data no longer were stored in files that were part and parcel of a particular program but rather it was now in a place a Database, that was defined by a database definition language and accessed with a database language and was shared by many programs and many user applications.  At least now there would be less duplication of data, and the integrity can be better monitored.  Data was retrievable by many different programs.  This was a vast improvement.  The data in the database could be defined in a hierarchical manner or non hierarchical..  

 

Let's take a typical business application of invoices and present it in a hierarchical manner.  The master invoice file would have general invoice information.  Information on the Master Invoice would include the client, the invoice number, the date of the invoice and the total amount on the invoice.  Then there would be an embedded details file that would contain the details of the invoice.  Each detail would be another record on the details file that was embedded in the master invoice file.That worked fine if the view of the data was to produce invoices.  However when the inventory person in the purchasing dept.  needed information regarding parts, using the hierarchical method, described above, he/she was forced to access the invoices first and then get to the information that was embedded in the details to find out which parts were sold.  Such access was cumbersome.  The purchasing dept. have no real interest in the invoices themselves and in fact should not have any access to the invoice data. Their only concern is when  inventory for a particular part becomes low and requires reordering. As a programmer that became mired in trying to access data that was embedded I began to research relational Database model theory developed by E.F. Codd. 

 

The bottom line in relational database theory is that hierarchy can be simulated but no data is totally subservient to the master or embedded. The hierarchy is simulated by keys that connect all the masters with the details.  In reality it is as easy to access the details as it is the master. You can access the details directly or through the master.  In a relational database we can easily query which PARTS were used by a particular CLIENT, which PARTS were used in an INVOICE, which PARTS need to be reordered.  There is direct access to each piece of data via all the unique keys.  So if I wanted to store the data most efficiently I would have the following database files.  PARTS, CLIENT,INVOICEMASTER, INVOICEDETAIL., VENDORS, PURCHASE-ORDERS, PURCHASE- ORDER-DETAILS etc..  Each record in a database file must have it's own unique key.  So every Client record has a unique CLIENT ID .  Every PART has an PART ID.  Every INVOICE has an INVOICE ID and every detail on an invoice as it's own INVOICE_DETAIL ID.  etc,

 

So what is the Nimshal?  In reality we are all children under G-d.  Each one of us have a unique and DIRECT connection to G-d.   Yet we are also  family members with strong roots. We each have our own mission and talents and abilities that are necessary for a united whole and we draw our strength from the roots of our tree.  No individual can be negated because they don't belong to a specific hierarchy. We are equal under G-d in the sense that we each have a Tselem ELokim.  Our job is to bring out the essence of our individuality. 

 

As Jews we are working for a common goal. The goal is to serve G-d and keep the Torah.  That is the essence of Manhigut Yehudit.  As in a Database application each user has their own unique ID and  individual perspective. We can  be identified as So and So the daughter of So and So or alternatively by our social security number. We each carry our own individual view or perspective.  Each view is a legitimate view. 

 

 The Accounting Department has interest in parts insofar that they are a details on an invoice.  The Purchasing dept has an interest in parts insofar that they need to reorder them in order to keep inventory stocked.  The CEO of the company mav have interests in parts that don't break down and ruin his companies reputation. 

 

A typical Employee Database application will relate to the CEO as simply an Employee with a unique Employee ID or alternatively as a special employee with unique benefits.  In many aspects the CEO is simply no different than a regular employee yet is other ways he is the leader and has a different perspective and focus.

 

True being the winner and the leader is important. But a hierarchical model alone will not allow for growth or bringing out the individuality of each detail. That requires the Relational Model. The most effective leader will recognize and utilize each and every other leader'individual to promote Service of G-d and Torah.  My question is why aren't we uniting in our common goal. 

 

 

If you wish to visit my blog click on:
Shemittah Rediscovered

Please subscribe.

 

Thanks.

The Covenant Renewal- Nitzavim Vayelech -Areivus

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When the Bnei Yisroel enter Eretz Yisroel they receive a renewal of their Covenant. The first Covenant was given at Har Sinai. What was new about this Covenant? It was the concept of Areivus, that every Jew is now responsible of the sins of his brothers. Every Jew is obligated to help others observe the Torah and to restrain from violating it. As the commentary in the Stone Chumash explains that now they would be liable for transgressions committed openly (Ohr HaChaim) This is essential to the world view of the Jew, for it explains why one may not be apethetic to the shortcomings of others and why public desecrations of the Torah are the concern of every Jew of good conscience.

Atem Nitzavim - You are standing. Moshe empahsized that the people were standing before G-d because the purpose of the Covenant was to bind them to G-d's Torah. Sforno comments that Moshe stressed that they were standing before G-d, Who cannot be deceived. Moshe divided the people into categories to suggest that everyone is responsible according to how many others he or she can influence.

This concept of Areivus justifies my position of speaking out against influential Rabbinic Leaders such as Rav Shteinmen, Rav Kanievsky, Rav Eliashiv, the Admor M'Gur, the OU, Agudath Yisroel of America etc. who have been silent regarding the Roadmap and regarding the disengagement and the Convergence plan. It justifies the obligation of spokespeople of Yesha as well as the journalists in Jewish Media such as Arutz7, Jewish Press, Yated, Hamodia, Nachum Segal, Chofetz Chaim Foundation etc. to challenge this silence. The Roadmap is mutually exclusive to the Biblical promise that Hashem gave Eretz Yisroel exculsively to Am Yisroel. How can UTJ and Shas join an evil government. This evil government is clearly in opposition to Torah. Yet this was overlooked in exchange for bribes be it child support or educational subsidies or political position. . Those that remain silent become silent partners in allowing expulsion of Jewish settlement and settlers, partners in robbing our fellow brethren of their property, partners in destroying family units and cohesiveness, partners in taking away many families means of Parnassa, partners in terrorizing little children with an army of soldiers and last but not least partners in the bloody violence against the youth who were the only ones to stand up for the Torah and for Eretz Yisroel at the risk of their own lives. To sum it all, those that are silent are partners to the humanitarian and security crisis in Israel and partners in the empowerment of terrorism including Hizbollah and Hamas.

For this Hashem says Haster Astir Panai Bayom Hahu Al Kol Hara Asher Asa, Ki Phana el Elohim Acheirim(Devarim 31/18) . But I will surely have concealed My face on that day because of all the evil that it did, for it had turned to gods of others".


The young girls in Neve Dekalim cried bitter tears as the expulsion was happening "Al Tastir panech Mimeni Beyom Tzar Li". Don't hide your face from me on the day of my affliction.

Can we ignore the fact that much of the North of Eretz Yisroel was burnt in this past war with Lebanon? Isn't that a consequence of worshipping idols as well? Or do we simply continue to choose not make any connections to the events of the day and the warnings of the Torah.

Which idols did we collectively worship? My guess is trusting in America, trusting in an evil gov't in Israel that acts as if it is a puppet for America and in believing in our own strenth and power rather than on Torah and Mitzvoth. It is very difficult to place our total trust in Hashem . It's downright scary. Without prayer how can we humanly be capable of passing this test.

Yet all the curses are reversible. We need merely to admit our mistakes, beg Hashem for forgiveness and no doubt Hashem will hear our prayers and reverse the Gezaira. Atem Nitzavim Hayom. Each and every one of us including men, children, women and strangers. Anyone with any kind of influence must speak out publicly for the Torah and against any plans that are in direct opposition to the Torah. Failure to speak out is equivalent to being partners in the desecration of Hashem's name.