The shemitta (Sabbatical) year, which applies only to the land of Israel, bestows the land a year of rest, a year in which all agricultural activity comes to a halt. What is the purpose of the shemitta year? To institute crop rotation in Israel? To allow the land a year to replenish its energy and life giving nutrients? Or to be a "Sabbath to HaShem," as Torah states? How is Israel to relate to the beautiful land G-d has given her?

Behar (Leviticus 25:1 - 26:2)

Parashat Behar is read on Shabbat:

Iyar 13, 5782/May 14, 2022

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