Judaism is Worth It ...
This week’s Torah reading contains a special mitzvah directed towards farmers in the land of Israel : Once in seven years the land must take a Sabbatical - a 12 month break - from being sowed, planted, harvested, etc. This full year, called “shmitah”, is to be set aside by the farmer for his/her spiritual pursuits.
In fact, this year (2007-08) is a shmitah year and this year more than 3,200 fields in Israel are not producing any goods as their owners are observing shmitah.
"If you don't plant, what will you eat?" the Torah rhetorically asks. G‑d answers: “I will ordain my blessing for you in the sixth year and it will yield a crop sufficient for the three-year period....”
In other words, a Divine blessing will enrich the soil as a result of the observance of shmitah. This blessing will compensate three-fold for the perceived loss of revenue while the land is allowed to lie fallow.
The Torah then continues to assure us that the same applies to all of G‑d's commandments. If we observe them, we will be blessed with an abundance of spiritual and material wealth.
This then is a very special week; one on which we receive the guarantee from the boss of all bosses, from the CEO of CEOs. He promises us “follow the job description I’ve provided for you in the Torah, and I’ll give you a big raise!”
May G‑d give us the wisdom and ability to fulfill our end of the deal thereby bringing blessing into our homes and communities.
G‑d is good for His word.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Raleigh Resnick
