Maranan verabonon the gedolei Yisroel, have
called upon the public to strengthen the mitzvah of
shmitta and to increase the number of shmitta
observers in the country. They affirm that the Torah forbids
reliance upon any so-called heter mechiro and that all
who aid and abet this heter are causing a chilul
Hashem, for in this manner they are demeaning the
precious, sacred mitzvah of shmitta in the eyes of
many.
During the past few shmitta cycles, many more farmers
have joined the ranks of shmitta observers, letting
their fields lie fallow according to halocho for the
entire shmitta period. The public at large has also
become more meticulous about purchase of fruits and
vegetables which have no chashash shevi'is.
Still, various elements and official institutions stubbornly
continue to rely upon the heter mechiro, thereby
uprooting the mitzvah of shmitta and depreciating the
mitzvos of the Torah, as if they could be uprooted by a
heter which has absolutely no validity.
For these reasons, the gedolei Yisroel have issued a
proclamation to arouse us prior to the coming shmitta
year, in order that we merit fulfillment of the mitzvah of,
"and the land shall rest, Shabbos to Hashem," a mitzvah which
secures the foundations of faith in the Creation of the world
and strengthens the trait of trust in Hashem
Yisborach.
The gedolim add that Chazal praised shmitta
observers highly, calling them, "men of valor," while
concomitantly stressing the immensity of the sin of violating
the laws of shmitta, designating it as the
transgression which incurred the punishment of golus.
Chazal add that when we strengthen our shmitta
observance, we rectify the cause of the lengthening of the
golus and hasten the Redemption.
In the proclamation, the gedolei Yisroel ardently
plead: "We appeal to all G-d-fearing farmers not to work the
land this shmitta and to sanctify Heaven's Name and
join the King's legions. Rabbonim and activists throughout
the country should make every effort to increase the numbers
of shmitta observers."
Maranan verabonon explained that although
approximately one hundred years ago some gedolei
Yisroel relied upon the heter mechiro it was only
as a temporary ruling, due to the tremendous poverty at that
time -- to the point of pikuach nefesh. However, they
did not intend this heter to apply to our current
situation. Thus, whoever promulgates this heter abets
uprooting of the mitzvah. In our opinion -- daas Torah
-- it is forbidden to rely upon this heter. "The issue
is not a debatable one that is dependent upon community
affiliation. Every Jew is obligated to observe shmitta
according to halocho. Whoever assists in instructing
the public to uproot shmitta by means of the
"heter" causes a chillul Hashem by showing that
it is possible to disparage this precious, sacred
mitzvah."
Maranan verabonon conclude their letter with the hope
that "with the merit of observance of the mitzvah of
shmitta we will be redeemed from all our sorrows, and
dwell in peace and security in eretz Hakodesh."
