By Avner Friedmann
The Parsha of this week speaks about the sabbatical year (Shmitah), which occurs every seven years in the Land of Israel. During that year, the fields are to be left untilled and all agricultural activities are suspended. The land is left to lay fallow and all agricultural work, such as plowing, planting and harvesting is forbidden.
After the Torah describes the details of the Shmitah year, HaShem assures us that we will not suffer any shortages as a result.[1] “If you will say, ‘What will we eat in the seventh year? Behold, we will not sow nor gather in our crops!’ I will ordain My blessing for you in the sixth year and it will yield a crop sufficient for the three year period” (The sixth, the seventh and the eighth year[2]). Now, why would we ask “What will we eat?” When HaShem commands to rest in the seventh year, shouldn’t we trust HaShem that He will also make sure that we will be fully provided for?
The Malbim[3] explains that HaShem would surely provide our food for three years. However, the manner in which it would be received depends on the people. The provisions can come in one of two ways; both of which are miraculous: One way is that the sixth year yields crops three times as much as a normal year, as mentioned above. The second way is that the sixth year produces the same amount as every year, but the additional blessings are in the nutrition of the food itself as it enters the stomach, so that not as much needs to be eaten and therefore there is no need for additional quantities to cover the three years. In the first miracle, the people are actually aware of the blessings with their own eyes, whereas in the second, the miracle is less revealed.
The level of trust (Bitachon) in HaShem is the determining factor concerning which miracle takes place. The more trust we have, the less effort is needed to receive our sustenance. If people ask “What will we eat”, they thereby demonstrate a lower level of trust and HaShem gives them the open miracle that their crops tripled, which requires greater labor to harvest etc. About this our sages stated[4]: “Whoever has bread in his basket sufficient for one day, but says, ‘what will I eat tomorrow?’ has little faith.”
Contrary to the hidden miracle, the open miracle means that greater effort needs to be put into harvesting, cutting, storing and all the other steps needed to have ready provisions. Moreover, it requires greater care in guarding the larger harvest from people and animals etc.
Torah tells us that working for a living is a necessity, as it is written,[5] “With all the putting forth of your hand which you undertake”, and[6]: “With the sweat of your brow you shall eat bread.” However, our level of trust determines the amount of labor necessary. From this we also learn that in many ways, the blessings we receive are independent of our efforts[7], and are solely determined by HaShem[8], as the scriptures states[9]: “It is the blessing of HaShem that enriches, and one need not add toil with it”.
So, how do we know how much time and effort we need to invest in making a living? The right amount can only be achieved through developing our fear of heaven through learning HaShem’s Torah and performing His mitzvot. No one can determine this except each person himself. We need to work on improving our level of trust in HaShem, judging every step carefully and realizing that our success or failure is determined by HaShem, no matter how much time and effort we put into our daily endeavors. The reality is that ultimately the results of our efforts are in HaShem’s hands.[10]
Trust in HaShem makes us more peaceful and calm and helps us go about our daily affairs with fewer worries. As a result, we can be more attentive to serving HaShem through prayer, the study of His Torah, and observing His mitzvot. As a result, we come closer to Him[11]. Letting the fields lay fallow in the land of Israel during the Shmitah year achieves just that; it is a testament to our faith in HaShem, fortifies our trust in Him, and frees our time to learn His holy Torah, serve Him and come closer to Him.
[1] Vayikra 25:20-21
[2] Rashi
[3] Rabbi Meir Leibush on Vayikra 25:20-21 and Vayikra 25:18. See also Beit Yitzhak on 25:20.
[4] Sota 48b.
[5] Devarim 28:20.
[6] Bereshit 3:19.
[7] Rabbi Moshe Chayim Luzzatto in The Path of the Just, Perek 21.
[8] Rabbeinu Bachya, The Duties of the Hearts, Sha’ar Bitachon, Hakdama.
[9] Proverbs 10:22.
[10] Letter from Eliyahu Volume I page 188-189
[11] Rabeinu Bachiya, same as above.
