SHEMITAH INTRODUCTION

In Chapter 5 Verse 9, of Ethics Of Our Fathers, it is written that “Exile comes to the world for idolatry, immorality, murder and not leaving the Earth to rest during the Sabbatical year.

And then if we turn to Parshat Behar in the book of Vayikra, Shemitah is again mentioned. In Chapter 25, Verses 1 – 7. G-d spoke to the children of Israel and said - For six years you may sow your field, prune your vineyard and gather the produce. But on the seventh year these activities are forbidden.

Having lived in Israel for 25 years, our family is continually reminded about the Mitzvah of Shemitah now when going into the shops to purchase produce. We must check the status of what we buy to determine if it is considered Holy ( Shemitah ) or not. If the produce is Shemitah, then there are certain laws which apply that we must be aware of before disposing of any left overs.

For those that own a garden here in Israel, one must be careful to observe the laws applicable to plants, trees, flowers and flower pots to name a few.

Given the dangerous situation that exists in the world today, if there is a slight chance anyone would consider visiting Israel or make Aliyah during 5782, they must be aware of the Shemitah laws. That is one major reason we have created this site to make everyone aware of the Shemitah laws. These laws are going to be discussed in this section of the Your Aliyah Advisor Site.