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NEWS
In Honor of Shmittah and its Heroes
by A. Cohen and M. Plaut
Chazal said, "For the sin of failure to keep
shmittah, we were exiled from our land; in its merit, we will
be redeemed in the future."
This past Sunday, 21 Elul, two stirring events of public
kiddush Hashem marked the end of the shmittah
year of 5761 -- a seudas mitzvah in Tel Aviv and a
massive. moving parade in Bnei Brak.
The twenty-first of Elul, the first day of Selichos,
was especially chosen for these events for it is known to be a
propitious time when all Jews unite in their prayers for
forgiveness and mercy in the coming year. It was an auspicious
time for thousands of farmers to thank Hashem that they
merited to observe Shabbos of the land and amazingly and
courageously face numerous trials throughout the year.
The events were attended by approximately 1000 farmers, those
giborei hakoach osei Devoro who observe shmittah
kehilchosoh throughout Eretz Yisroel. At these events,
which were headed by maranan verabonon the gedolei
Yisroel, thousands of residents of Bnei Brak and its
environs honored the farmers. The events were held within the
framework of a varied and impressive day of events organized
by the Keren Hashevi'is of the Nationwide Center for Shmittah
Observing Farmers, founded by HaRav Binyomin Mendelsohn
zt"l, the Gavad of Kommemiyus.
The heads of Keren Hashevi'is spoke with farmers throughout
the country and explained to them the importance of the day.
They noted that as the shmittah year draws to an end,
all should join together, as one and with one heart, in order
to mark and celebrate their great zechus of having been
able to bravely keep shmittah this year according to
the halocho, without compromise and precisely as
commanded by the Borei Yisborach.
The intent of the organizers was to hold a series of important
and inspiring events leading up to the Yomim Noraim, when each
and every farmer will receive a special "Shomrei Shevi'is
Kehilchosoh" certificate.
At Exhibition Gardens
Scores of busses and private cars arrived at booth 32 in the
Exhibition Gardens in Tel Aviv (Ganei Hata'aruchah).
Noticeable among them were the vans of the agricultural
counselors from the Nationwide Center for Shmittah Observing
Farmers.
The large booth was decorated with placards such as:
"Yasher Koach Legiborei Koach," "Vetzivisi es
birchosi," and "Veshovas Ho'oretz Shabbos
leHashem," while musicians played appropriate melodies.
The dais was decorated with signs such as "Bruchim Habo'im
beSheim Hashem" and the like. Next to the main dais sat
rabbonim, heads of Keren Hashevi'is, heads of Agudas Yisroel
from Eretz Yisroel, America and Europe, UTJ Knesset
representatives, heads of the Chinuch Atzmai and prominent
rabbonim from the settlements which observed shmittah
according to the halocho.
The scene in the large and broad auditorium was very
inspiring, as a thousand farmers from all over the Holy Land
who observed the mitzvos of shmittah, warmly shook
hands, embraced each other then sat down beside set tables.
Each farmer identified himself by the name of his settlement,
and then received an envelope with a program of the events for
the day and a place card.
The first session, whose purpose was to express appreciation
and gratitude to the farmers, the giborei hakoach, was
led by Rav Mordechai Mintz, the chairman of the Keren
Hashevi'is fund. He said: "The farmers who keep
shmittah have resolved to accept ol malchus
Shomayim, not only as all Jews do in Krias Shema,
but also throughout the entire year by the observance of the
mitzva of shmittah without pause. As a result, they are
the genuine patrons, who guarantee that all Eretz Yisroel
belongs to Am Yisroel."
He then thanked the Agriculture Minister and his office, as
well as UTJ representatives in the Knesset; the heads of
Agudas Yisroel in America and Europe, and the heads and
volunteers of Keren Hashevi'is, who helped the farmers keep
shmittah throughout the year. However he said that
despite this help, not even half of the expenses for the
support of the farmers throughout the country have been
covered so far. He noted the special contribution of the
Halperin family from the United States of $50,000.
Yerachmiel Goldin, who is in charge of shmittah matters
for the Ministry of Agriculture, noted the large number of
farmers who observed shmittah this year even though the
overall number of farmers in the country is decreasing. He
said that the government forwarded NIS 15 million for support
of these farmers, NIS 12 million of which have already been
distributed to farmers.
Rav Mintz added that this year, 250,000 dunams of farm land
lay fallow, and that by number, 20 percent of all the farmers
in the country observed shmittah. (A dunam is 1000
square meters or about 10,000 square feet.)
Other speakers at this session were Rabbi Meir Porush, Rabbi
Moshe Gafni, and the Agriculture Minister Mr. Shalom
Simchon.
At the end of this session, Rabbi Shmuel Bloom, Executive Vice
President of the American Agudas Yisroel, gave the Agriculture
Minister a special gift in appreciation for his help.
Additional gifts were given to other figures who supported and
assisted the shmittah network and the shmittah
observing farmers.
Afterward, all those in attendance davened mincha
together and sat down to a seudas mitzvah in order
to mark the completion of a mitzvah, as is the case when a
tractate is completed, and on Simchas Torah, when one finishes
the reading of the Torah and begins it anew.
The main session was opened by HaRav Avrohom Laizerson, one of
the heads of the Chinuch Atzmai, who recited the Acheinu
Kol Beis Yisroel prayer with the entire audience, as an
expression of sorrow over the terrorist attacks which had
taken place that day.
Rav Laizerson's speech was followed by the blessings of Rabbi
Yehuda Meir Abramowitz, and then by those of HaRav Ezriel
Shechter, one of the prominent rabbonim of London and the
chairman of the Keren Hashevi'is fund in Europe. HaRav Yosef
Efrati, the head of Beis Midrash LeHalocho Bahityashvut
praised the shmittah observing farmers, and presented
the blessings of Maran HaRav Yosef Sholom Eliashiv, the pillar
of halachic authority.
Rabbi Shmuel Bloom presented the blessings of the heads of the
the Keren Hashevi'is in America, HaRav Elya Svei and the Admor
of Novominsk, the head of Agudas Yisroel in the United States.
He also handed Rav Mintz a big check which brought the overall
donations from Torah-true Jewry of the United States and
Canada to a million dollars.
After Rabbi Bloom's speech, the rabbonim of the
shmittah observing settlements handed Rav Mintz and Rav
Ezriel Shechter special gifts in recognition of their
efforts.
HaRav Chizkiyahu Yosef Mishkovsky, mashgiach of yeshivas
Orchos Hatorah, brought the blessings of HaRav Aharon Leib
Shteinman, who said that shmittah unites all parts of
the nation in their efforts to aid of the farmers, and that as
a result we should be sorry that the shmittah year has
ended. He then said that when HaRav Shteinman was asked why he
had gone out to the field and over to the tractor, he replied:
"They are our tallis and tefillin, our
kedusha and taharoh."
HaRav Yosef ben Porat, rosh yeshivas Ashrei Ho'ish, delivered
words of his'orerus. Closing remarks were presented by
HaRav Menachem Mendel Mendelsohn, the Gavad of Kommemiyus and
the president of the Nationwide Center for Shmittah Observing
Farmers, who said that there were many tragedies throughout
the year but there were also many miracles in which tragedies
were avoided. Shmittah observance, he said, is full of
miracles.
Afterward, HaRav Shechter and HaRav Chaim Dovid Zweibel,
Executive Vice President of American Agudas Yisroel,
distributed certificates of recognition to the farmers.
The following members of the Keren Hashevi'is board of
directors were on the dais, the Rabbonim: Avrohom Nosson
Barnet, Betzalel Godlevski, Refoel Hoffman, Moshe Hess,
Reuvein Vinderbaum, Naftoli Yaakobson, Yissochor Dov Lederman,
Gavriel Morgenstern, Ben Tzion Kugler, Yakov Kiel and Heshel
Reizman.
The Americas contingent included: Rabbi Shmuel Bloom, Rabbi
Chaim Dovid Zweibel and the philanthropist, Rabbi Dovid
Bodner. The British delegation included: HaRav Ezriel Shechter
and Rabbi Chaim Yaakov Davis, the general director of the
British Agudas Yisroel.
Also on the dais were: HaRav Yitzchok Yechiel Yakobovitz, the
rav of Hertzelia; HaRav Shlomo Halevi Pollack, the rav of Beis
Chilkia and HaRav Moshe Bunim Mintz, head of Kollel Halichos
Haaretz, members of the Kolel, MK Rabbi Shmuel Halpert, Rabbi
Meir Luria, one of the heads of Chinuch Atzmai, and other
public figures and dignitaries.
Appreciation was expressed to the staff of Keren Hashevi'is
who organized the whole day's events: Rabbi Avrohom Tzvi
Roshgold, Rabbi Yitzchok Eisik Goldstein, Rabbi Yehudah Meir
Gelber.
A Massive Parade in Bnei Brak
The scene which took place later along Chazon Ish Street and
the nearby streets was unprecedented in the annals of the city
of Bnei Brak. In a stirring expression of regard, tens of
thousands of people gathered to participate in the magnificent
parade in honor of the 1000 shmittah observing farmers,
giborei koach osei devoro.
Fleets of busses and vehicles transporting farmers and guests
headed from Exhibition Gardens towards the cemetery in Bnei
Brak, the burial site of the Chazon Ish, whose rulings these
farmers meticulously observed this shmittah year.
A massive throng awaited there for the farmers and, with
rousing applause and cheers, accompanied them to the grave
where Tehillim and supplications were recited. The
Tehillim were read by HaRav David ben Tzion Adas, while
the large throng responded verse by verse.
Afterwards, a magnificent procession proceeded along Chazon
Ish Street and tens of thousands of people from Bnei Brak and
other areas join in. The crowd consisted of men, women, and
children, the elderly -- all of whom joyously celebrated the
siyum of the mitzvah of shmittah.
The streets were lined with glittering signs blessing the
farmers, and homes were decorated with posters and colored
lights.
Thousands of young talmud Torah students, came from all
over their city, placards with blessings to the farmers pinned
to their clothing, torches in their hands and songs bursting
from their lips.
As a band played, avreichim and farmers joined hands
and broke forth into fervent dance. Thousands of people
crowded the roof tops, cheering the participants and
participating in the singing.
Due to the tremendous congestion, the parade proceeded very
slowly and took four hours. Over and over again, Bnei Brak's
residents could be seen approaching the farmers, warmly
shaking their hands and blessing them, and then breaking into
dance and song. Many of the onlookers were very obviously
moved by the stirring sight.
When the procession neared the Zichron Meir neighborhood, its
rov, HaRav Shmuel Halevi Wosner, who is also the rosh yeshiva
of the Chachmei Lublin yeshiva, delivered a stirring speech in
which he said: "The merit of the shmittah observance
will protect the farmers, their children, us and all Am
Yisroel. The security of Eretz Yisroel is dependent on the
observance of shmittah, and boruch Hashem there
are farmers who can claim that merit. It is written that they
are like angels in Olom Hazeh. This means that every
day that they observed shmittah an angel was created.
Each one of these framers has created hundreds of angels.
Hundreds of thousands of angels were created by all
together."
When the procession reached the Tashbar talmud Torah
whose building was once the home of the Chazon Ish, HaRav
Nissim Karelitz came out, warmly greeting and blessing the
farmers and shaking their hands.
As the parade approached its terminus at Rabbi Akiva street,
HaRav Aharon Leib Shteinman came out to his porch on Chazon
Ish Street and blessed the farmers (see box).
Prior to the end of the parade, Eliyahu Yifrach, a farmer from
the Noam settlement, spoke in the name of the farmers,
thanking Bnei Brak's residents for the stirring reception and
for the other events in their honor during the day.
Slowly the residents of Bnei Brak returned to their homes with
the uplifting feeling of having participated in a great
dvar mitzvah, and under the tremendous impact of the
parade and the stirring and unprecedented scenes they had
witnessed (see box).
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The Letter of Maran HaRav Eliashiv
Bs"D 21 Elul 5761
To the esteemed participants in the celebrations in honor of
the completion of the mitzva of shemittah, toward the
end of the shmittah year of 5761:
We have merited that, despite difficult trials, the number of
shmittah observing farmers has increased this year.
These farmers did not listen to those who ruled shelo
kehalochoh that, chas vesholom, the mitzvos of
shmittah can be uprooted. These farmers withstood the
test and were moser nefesh for the sake of the
observance of this precious mitzva.
Now that giborei koach osei devoro the shomrei
Shevi'is have assembled along with the philanthropists and
the heads of Keren Hashevi'is, who have helped them, and are
rejoicing in the completion of the mitzva, I bless them with,
"Yehi no'am Hashem aleihem ve'al kulom" and may the
merit of the observance of shmittah stand in their
stead, so that all of their requests and prayers be positively
answered. May we speedily merit eternal Redemption, and to
fulfill the mitzvos of the precious land, deOraisa,
ve'alibo dekulei almo, with the coming of the Moshiach
speedily in our times, Omen.
Who writes and signs in honor of the giborei koach,
Yosef Sholom Eliashiv
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The Blessing of HaRav Aharon Leib Shteinman
Fortunate are you that you have merited to keep shmittah
kehilchosoh. May Hashem help us, so that during the next
shmittah year, the true Geula will have arrived.
Even if we don't merit it, you will merit to observe
shmittah kehilchosoh in the forthcoming shmittah
too. May all of the blessings that Hakodosh Boruch Hu
reserves for the shomrei shevi'is be fulfilled in you,
and may you and all your families merit all of the best, all
of your lives.
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Waiting for Shmittah
by R. Gold
I wouldn't have admitted it to anyone; I was too ashamed. Here
Hashem had given us a yearlong mitzvah, a rare chance to do
something a bit difficult, a chance to show how much His
chassodim mean to us, how grateful that we belong to
"us" and not "them" -- and here I was, looking at the dried
leaves of my house plants and telling myself: "Only three more
weeks," "Only two more weeks," and so forth. The fact was,
that at least part of me was itching for shmittah to be
over.
Silently I reprimanded myself: "Is that how to say thank you?
By counting down the days until your mitzvah is gone, over
with for at least another six years?
"No!" I chided myself. "Cherish each day, with its additional
holiness. Be joyful, be grateful!"
I don't know to what degree I won the battle within my heart,
but I now know that it can be different. Yesterday proved it
to me, and to thousands and thousands of other orthodox Jews,
when they were given a chance to pour out their love to their
Maker and gratitude to those quietly, deeply courageous
tillers of the soil who abstained -- for an entire year --
from any form of cultivation forbidden during
shmittah.
Bnei Brak turned out in its thousands to cheer and thank
farmers from all over Eretz Yisroel who gathered to mark the
end of Shmittah, 5761.
The crowds milled around waiting impatiently for the
festivities to begin. Hundreds of cheder boys were
festooned with plastic vests bearing the words: "Yeyeshar
kochachem, giborei koach."
These men are protecting Am Yisroel's zechus to live in
the Holy Land. May the merit of their mesirus nefesh
help bring peace to this war-weary land and people.
Along the entire length of Bnei Brak's Rechov Chazon Ish
marched hundreds of deeply-tanned men of the soil, many now
graced with white beards and payos. They had come from
all over the country, by bus, by tractor, and private car. A
combine from the agricultural settlement of Yesodot slowly
made its way along with the marchers, flags and streamers
waving, and bearing a large sign noting the fact that this was
the seventh (!) shmittah year the residents were
observing since its founding 53 years ago.
As the farmers passed along the road, singing and clapping
along with the music, the cheder children approached
one individual after the other, offered their hands, and
expressed their thanks to these unsung heroes. The procession
lasted over an hour. One farmer quipped with a smile that he'd
shaken the hand of so many little boys that afternoon that it
made up for all the work he hadn't done over the last twelve
months.
It was the first time, perhaps, that many of these men had
come to Bnei Brak, and the city welcomed them with an open,
joyous, Jewish heart. Many were accompanied by their wives and
children. It was a melting pot of Jewish souls from all
sectors and backgrounds, all smiling and rejoicing in the
deepest joy of all, simcha shel mitzvah.
On Rechov Chazon Ish there were people there from every corner
of the country; others came from abroad to share in the
celebration. The simcha was overwhelming, like one huge
chasunah. Everyone was a mechuton, everyone
rejoiced.
I am personally grateful to whoever conceived the idea of
organizing this celebration -- and to those who actually
organized it. They were certainly zocheh to give the
Ribono Shel Olom a goodly portion of nachas. Ashrei
chelko!
I'm so happy I went; I'm so happy my children and
grandchildren were there. Now the bags of day-old shmittah
peels take on new meaning; I'll cherish these last few
days of the seventh year; and I can't wait till, be"H,
it comes again.
May it find our people worthy and deserving of rejoicing in
many, many more such simchas shel mitzvah.
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What Is It Like to Observe a Full Year of Shmittah? -- A
Moshol
Imagine that your boss just called you in to his office.
"David," he says with a look of concern on his face, "bad
news. We have to lay you off for a year. Only one year, mind
you. Nothing personal. It's only for a year, you understand.
Three hundred sixty-five days from now we'll welcome you back
with open arms.
"Well, good luck," he continues -- actually, concludes the
conversation with a handshake. "It's been good to have you
with us for these past six years. I'm looking forward to
seeing you a year from now."
Speechless? Furious? Indignant? Well you might be.
But what if you were a farmer in the Negev, or the Galil, or
any other district of Eretz Yisroel? The above scenario
wouldn't be so far-fetched. "Nothing personal, David. It's a
mitzvah every Jew keeps. Or ought to."
Giborei koach. These people are the giborei
koach, men of steadfast courage, whose zechus it
was to observe shmittah of the year 5761. They deserved
all the honors and the thanks heaped upon them in this
celebration. May Heaven grant them, and all His people, the
blessings of Torah.
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All Systems Go for Harvest at Kommemiyus
by A. Cohen
Moshav Kommemiyus, the symbol of shmittah observance in
our generation, is completing the current shmittah year
with feelings of gratification. Waves of visitors came to the
moshav throughout the year to view the shmittah exhibit
and to visit the National Center for Shmittah Observant
Farmers there. Many visitors also toured the fallow fields and
orchards and enjoyed picking fruit that had been declared
ownerless, as mandated by halocho.
Hundreds of educational institutions, talmudei Torah,
schools, seminaries and yeshivos came to Kommemiyus during the
year. Educators realized that a visit to a moshav that prides
itself on its shmittah observance is an apt way to
instill in their students a sense of the importance of this
mitzvah. Through meetings with Kommemiyus farmers, the
students became aware of their sacrifices, heard explanations
of their constant trials and became excited upon actually
seeing cases of, "And I will command My blessing. . . ."
The Kommemiyus orchards as well as others around the country
that followed shmittah kehilchosoh are currently
bursting with superior, ripe fruit. Heads of educational
institutions are called upon to bring their students to the
orchards and pick fruit -- as much fruit as they need -- at no
cost. Many institutions that until now could not afford to
supply fruit for their students are now able to do so. A
school or yeshiva wishing to do so should first contact the
National Center for Shmittah Observant Farmers to coordinate
the visit so that a guide from the Center can be provided.
This is necessary to prevent any mishaps, such as harvesting
in areas with orlah trees. In addition, harvesting must
be done in the correct manner, according to the
halochos of shmittah.
The Center in Kommemiyus notes that hundreds of tons of fruit
are on the trees, waiting to be picked. The Center is planning
to start the Otzar Beis Din harvest soon, but until
then, the Kommemiyus harvest is open to anyone. Kommemiyus
locals are expecting a new wave of students, coming along with
their teachers to tour the orchards and fields for an intimate
meeting with shmittah observers, thus strengthening
their belief in the Creator and His mitzvos.
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