Maranan verabonon, the gedolei Yisroel have
issued a call to all G-d-fearing Jews to join the Shmitta
Committee affiliated with the BaDaTz of Shearis Yisroel. The
committee will handle all shmitta issues with highest
level of hiddur, without reliance on so-called
heteirim or other doubtful measures.
The letter is signed by HaRav Eliashiv and the following
gedolei Torah: HaRav Aharon Yehuda Leib Steinman,
HaRav Moshe Shmuel Shapira, HaRav Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz,
HaRav Chaim Pinchos Scheinberg, HaRav Salmon Rotberg, HaRav
Tzvi Markowitz, HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, and HaRav Shmuel
Auerbach.
The letter says: "We hereby turn to all those who are in awe
of Hashem's Word in our sacred Land: The shmitta year
is nearing, and a shmitta committee has been founded
by Shearis Yisroel. The Committee will handle all
shmitta issues with great hiddur and
meticulousness, without relying on heteirim or
doubtful measures. It will be under the constant supervision
of the rabbonim hageonim of Shearis Yisroel, headed by
HaRav Chaim Shaul Karelitz."
Maranan verabonon add: "We call upon all who are in
awe of Hashem's Word to join the Shearis Yisroel committee on
issues pertaining to the forthcoming shmitta. All who
assist this endeavor will be blessed by the Master of all
with all that is good."
The members of the BaDaTz, HaRav Tzvi Weber, HaRav Tzvi
Friedman and HaRav Arye Halevi Dunner, visited HaRav Eliashiv
and raised various halachic questions pertaining to
the coming shmitta, including the text of the shtar
shelichus that is to be signed by those registering with
the Shmitta Committee. During shmitta, the Committee
is to act as an agent of those registering with it, in order
to avoid any questions of commerce with the holy products of
shmitta.
HaRav Eliashiv warmly encouraged and blessed the rabbonim as
well as the Chacham brothers, owners of the Bikurei Sdei
HaTzafon Shomrei Shevi'is storehouse in the settlement of
Tzafaria. The brothers have resolved to abide by all rabbinic
guidelines, announcing their desire to provide agricultural
produce for the shmitta year to consumer outlets in
all chareidi centers as well as to Torah and educational
institutions throughout the country.
The Chacham brothers have many years of experience in the
large scale marketing of agricultural produce. The kashrus
network has chosen this company to service the shmitta-
observant sector country wide.
Agricultural produce will be marketed throughout the country
from the large, modern storehouse in Tzafaria.
During recent weeks, many organizations have registered with
the Shearis Yisroel Shmitta Committee, including the largest
yeshivos in Jerusalem and Bnei Brak. The Shearis Yisroel
kashrus network abides by all hiddurim and fine points
of the law according to the approach of the Chazon Ish. All
marketing processes -- sorting, marking, storing and
retailing -- are under the strict supervision of a Shearis
team according to the explicit guidelines of the rabbonim.
