Parshas Behar opens with the laws of Shmittah. The basic laws of Shmittah are that every seven years, in Eretz Yisrael, you are not allowed to plant or care for your fields; they are considered ownerless. The purpose of this is, among other things, to show us that everything we own really belongs to Hashem. It is only through His kindness that we have sustenance.
In many ways, Shmittah is comparable to
our weekly Shabbos, in fact the pasuk refers to it as “שַׁבָּ֖ת
לַֽיהֹוָ֑ה”, a Shabbos for Hashem (Vayikra 25:4). However, there is a key
difference between them. During our Shabbos, the Torah prohibits any sort of
work. There are famously 39 categories of work which the Torah forbids on Shabbos,
but there are numerous subcategories which also fall under the Torah
prohibition of work. However, when it comes to Shmittah, the Torah prohibitions
are few. In fact, it’s only what’s specifically mentioned in the text; i.e.
planting in the field and vineyard, and harvesting their as well. The Gemarah (Moed
Katan 3a) explains that while there are other prohibitions on Shmittah, they
fall under the Rabbinical umbrella; only these four are Torah prohibitions.
What is the difference between Shabbos and Shmittah that the Torah has such a discrepancy?
Rav Samson Rafael
Hirsch explains that there is a key difference in the meaning behind Shabbos and
Shmittah. On Shabbos, the idea is to acknowledge Hashem as the Creator and
Ruler over all of Creation. We do this by not performing any and all creative
acts. But it is not enough to prohibit just actual work, rather, any and all
examples of creative energy must cease. Therefore, even the smallest details of
work are prohibited by the Torah. When it comes to Shmittah, however, we are
acknowledging Hashem’s rule over the land, specifically Eretz Yisrael. Ownership
of a certain part of land is shown by the ability to plant and harvest as you
please. Once these aspects are out of your control, it is clear you are not the
owner, even if other labor aspects are still allowed.
Shabbat Shalom!
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