Rav Kahanov's halachic compendium on the laws of shmittah
has been reprinted by the Kest-Lebowitz Foundation,
appropriately coinciding with the present Sabbatical year.
One hundred years has passed since Shnas HaSheva's
original publication. The editor, Rabbi Nechemia Frankel,
himself a descendant of the author, has painstakingly
researched Rav Kahanov's sources, and meticulously corrected
misprints and inserted omitted sources.
For hundreds of years prior to 5630 (1870), Jewish
settlements in Eretz Yisroel were concentrated in Jerusalem,
Hebron, Tzfas, and Tiberius. Jewish farming was almost non-
existent as the trend of immigrants were Talmudic scholars,
usually in their later years.
In approximately 5630 (1870), agricultural labor was
intensified by both the Diaspora Jews who founded Mikveh
Yisrael, and by the local populace, who started to colonize
Petach Tikvah. With the "first wave" of immigrants in 5640
(1880), many additional colonies were founded.
The theoretical study of the laws dependent upon Eretz
Yisroel's holiness had at once become practical. However,
practical guidelines were sorely lacking. At the time, two
halachic digests were in print: Shaarei Tzedek, and
Pe'as HaShulchon. Each work had left the need
unfulfilled. In his zeal to write in a brief format, the
Chayei Odom omitted several crucial halachic opinions. In
contrast, the Pe'as HaShulchon's scholarly
presentation was too time-consuming for the observant farmer
who, nevertheless, wished to scrupulously perform Eretz
Yisroel's mitzvos.
Rabbi Moshe Nechemia Kahanov filled the gap by writing a
practical, yet thorough guide to shmittah observance
for the layman.
The HaRav Kahanov made aliyah to Jerusalem in 5624 (1864),
fulfilling the precepts of shmittah for the first
time in 5628 (1868), and subsequently in 5635 (1875). In
anticipation of shmittah 5642 (1882), Rav Kahanov
published his work. Already in his advanced years, Rav
Kahanov passed away in Jerusalem in 5647 (1887), leaving a
legacy which would contribute towards future halachic
understanding of Eretz Yisroel's laws.
HaRav Shmuel Wosner has given an enthusiastic approbation to
the revised edition, writing that it is a "great mitzvah to
republish the book."
The present edition includes an historical letter written by
the author, who decries the "possible-heterim" for
not observing shmittah in modern times, which were
raised by one of the gedolim of Rav Kahanov's time,
who published his heter in two Hebrew newspapers. The
godol's position was based upon a combination of
singular opinions raised, which include: in our times,
shmittah is not even rabbinic, rather a custom; we
are not aware of the precise year of shmittah; and
the Amoraim decree that shmittah not be observed when
arnona, government taxes, are imposed by the gentile
rulership.
Rav Kahanov rejects the above arguments in a passionate, yet
civil, discourse where he raises the point of acharei
rabbim lehatos, the halacha is based upon the majority
decision. In Jewish legislation, we do not follow a minority
opinion lekula. Drawing a parallel to a minority
opinion that bitul besheeshim applies to chometz
on Pesach, the author notes that no one follows this
opinion today, even in wake of hardship. The author then
rhetorically asks what is the purpose of coming to Eretz
Yisroel, if not for fulfilling the special mitzvos dependent
upon kedushas ho'oretz? In our troubled times when
the Ishmaelites are trying to destroy Jewish settlement of
the land, I found this statement highly relevant to our
times.
Shnas Hasheva is available in Israel by contacting
the Kest-Lebowitz Foundation. Although currently unavailable
in bookstores, Diaspora Jews may obtain the book by
contacting the editor at: Frankel, 6 Sdei Chemed Street,
Kiryat Sefer, Mobile Post Modiin, Israel; or by telefax:
+972-8-974-0391.
