The water level of the Kinneret reached the lowest in its
entire history this past Sunday (Cheshvan 28). Only 20
centimeters separate it from the new red line which the
Kinneret Administration declared last summer, which is itself
is a meter lower than the old red line. The water situation is
so bad that drinking water for the forthcoming summer will be
in danger, if cholila there isn't a significant
improvement. However, on the issue of rains there is an
additional point which we should bring to the attention of
public -- the issue of the daily prayer of tal umottor
livrocho.
This shmittah year, many more farmers took upon
themselves to keep shmittah kehilchoso, according to the
guidelines of gedolei Yisroel. Among them are many
owners of lands who, according to the guidelines they received,
sowed their fields on the eve of the shmittah year, when
the crops which were supposed grow during the shmittah
would be under the full supervision of the shmittah
committees. Thousands of dunams were sowed prior to Rosh
Hashanah, with a vast financial investment.
The gishmei brocho which we received a few weeks ago
greatly benefited these farmers, and the seeds in their fields
sprouted and began to grow. However, in order for these crops
to indeed succeed, we need an additional wave of rains which
will result in the continuation of the growth. Since that rain,
no more rain has fallen, and a very real danger looms over
those crops. According to the farmers, if significant amounts
of rain do not fall in the forthcoming days, all of this
planting will go to waste, leaving in their wake heavy
financial debts which no one will cover.
They explain that farmers who do not observe shmittah
kehilchoso (and all farmers in regular years) did not sow
their fields, but rather wait for the beginning of the rainy
season. If that season arrives late, they sow their fields
late, and thus avoid damage caused by the delay of the rainy
season. It is only the farmers who do not work their lands on
shmittah and had to sow the fields on the eve of
shmittah, who are liable to suffer a heavy financial
blow if it doesn't rain shortly.
The rav of one of the agricultural settlements in the country's
center who, with great mesiras nefesh, succeeded in
convincing farmers from his settlement to observe shmittah
kehilchoso, told me that one who visits the fields of the
settlements can easily see where shmittah is observed
and where it isn't observed. In the fields of the
shmittah observers, the seeds which were planted prior
to the shmittah year have already sprouted, and the
fields are green and waiting for rain. Beside them are the
brown fields of the farmers who are waiting for the rainy
season so that they can sow their fields, Rachmono
litzlan.
Both of these farmers lift their eyes to Heaven. The
shmittah observers who believe in the blessing the Torah
reserves for the gibborei hakoach pray that rain will
fall soon and bring blessing to their land. Those who didn't
withstand the great trial are waiting to see if indeed the
blessing of Hashem Yisborach will befall their shmittah
observing neighbors.
Beyond the distress of the farmers, the vital issue of
kiddush sheim Shomayim stands on the balance. The early
rains which fell a few weeks ago were a blessing to the
shmittah observers, but in order for the blessing to
continue, they need additional rain within a very few days,
otherwise everything will go to waste.
Those who are not involved in the issue of farming, must know
that if cholila these buds dry out, the damage will be
irrevocable. The buds still haven't been damaged and can still
grow, but only if rains fall these very days.
Therefore, the shmittah observing community can not
suffice only with concern for its own needs, but must also
share the burden with the shmittah observers, the
farmers, the genuine gibborei hakoach who out of sincere
faith undertook this great nisoyon. When we pray to
Hashem for Heaven's blessing three times a day, let us not
forget this issue too, which beyond the need for rain, is also
a matter of kiddush Shemo Yisborach by the falling of
rains of blessing, which will result in a great and most
tangible public kiddush Shem Shomayim.
As we go to press, rain is forecast for the end of the week.
May it come livrocho and cause a kiddush sheim
Shomayim.
