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The Shemittah, or Sabbatical Year, is commanded in several places in the Torah. It is part of a fifty year cycle, that includes a Sabbatical year every seven, which includes a cessation from most agricultural work in the Land of Israel, as well as...
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Let's look at what Shemittah REALLY means. It is an acknowledgment that the Land belong's not to us, but to G-d. Like the Shabbat, it is not only restrictions, but sanctification. All fruit trees are to be made ownerless. Every person could come...
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The Heter Mechirah sent shock waves through the rabbinic community.On the one hand, many felt that it was a brilliant solution to a desperate situation. After all, it was similar to other "ha'aramot" (legal fictions, used to prevent a situation in...
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Those opposed to the Heter Mechirah were well aware that the full observance of Shemittah was impractical at the present time, but took offense at any legal fiction that would "uproot" this mitzvah entirely. They came up with the Otzar Beit Din...
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When I first moved to Israel in 1984, I had my heart set on living in the mystical city of Tzfat. I had learned that apartments were available for very reasonable prices in a new development. When I went to visit the complex, I was asked to sign a...
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Shemittah is inextricably tied to the Land of Israel. Anything grown outside the Land, does not have the sanctity or restrictions of Shemittah produce. But what are the borders of the Land? I frequently see people posting maps of "the REAL borders...
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