May 13, 2007
The Connection Between Shmittah and Sinai
I'm sure I'm missing something with Rashi's explanation of the connection between Shmittah and Har Sinai; to me it sounds like polemics. Ramban's explanation is more along the lines of what I was thinking. After the Golden Calf, Moshe had to convince God to continue his association with B'nei Yisrael. He was successful, but it didn't change the fact that, at this point, He would be "dwelling amongst them in the midst of their impurity." In order for this to happen, for God to rest his Presence among the flawed and imperfect community of Man, a system of separation had to be established between the Divine and the profane; this is Vayikra, which introduces the concept of repentance which enables Man to reestablish contact with the Divine, as well as the laws of holiness which delineate the separations, both constant and occasional, required to approach and coexist with the Divine. When this ground work is laid, when the system of barriers is formalized, we can then resume the narrative where we left off at Sinai, with the entrance into the land and related laws.
see http://adderabbi.blogspot.com/2005/05/behar-two-aspects-of-holiness-and.html
Posted by: adderabbi at May 14, 2007 2:19 PMGreg,
One of the explanations that I have heard and it certainly seems to make sense is the following: The connection between Sinai and Shemittah is simply that every seven years and 50th with yovel that the farmer places his total faith in his Creator and sits and allows the land to rest. This act of faith, especially in an agrarian society, reconnects one with their committ to follow the commandments of Hashem that were given at Sinai. The entire issue of parnassah is one in which we all know how we are constantly worried and involved in making sure we know where and how we will be able to pay our bills. In fact, I believe that Rashi states, that the first galus was caused because in the entire 430 years that Bnei Yisrael lived in Israel after they left Mitzrayim they failed to follow the laws of Shemitta and Kedushat Sheviit. Next year, will be a Shemitta year. Many of your readers will not have the zchus to be able to partake in this mitzvah. However, please note and I think it is worth some asking into that some organizations like the Star K will be purchasing produce and fruit from Arabs. This is not neccessary, even if you do not hold of the heter mechira.
