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NEWS
Otzar Beis Din Members Tour Moshavim in Central Israel
By A. Cohen
Following a request by farmers at vineyards and orchards located at Gimzu and other moshavim in Central Israel, members of the Otzar Beis Din, headed by HaRav Nissim Karelitz visited the sites to answer practical questions encountered as the Shmittah year approaches.
The members of the Otzar Beis Din began preparations several months ago for the upcoming year. Led by HaRav Karelitz, the members of the beis din include HaRav Pinchos Schreiber, HaRav Yosef Efrati, HaRav Yehuda Silman and HaRav Aryeh Dvir. Since its founding four Shmittahs ago the Otzar Beis Din has provided solutions for many farmers who observe Shevi'is. Thousands of families received the farm produce that they grow throughout the year under the supervision of the Otzar Beis Din, thereby helping these farmers.
This week's visit was primarily intended to show support for the farmers at Moshav Gimzu who are pruning the vines early — much earlier than the recommendations by agriculture experts — refraining from relying on various leniencies that permit pruning during the Shmittah year itself, in part to demonstrate their willingness to risk the health of the vineyards in order to strengthen Shmittah observance. Following a request by the Otzar Beis Din, Mr. Yisrael Ivtzan, board chairman of Carmel Wineries, advanced the grape harvest at all vineyards.
Joining a tour of vineyards owned by Mr. Shimon Chazut, who belongs to the Carmel Wineries group of wine growers, were the rabbonim of various communities in the area, such as HaRav Eliav Meir, the rov of Gimzu, and HaRav Mertzbach, the rov of Shaalavim, and prominent Shmittah activists at these moshavim. The farmers, excited by the arrival of HaRav Karelitz, posed various questions that have arisen in the course of their preparations. As he toured the vineyards he gave pointed instructions on how to keep Shmittah properly.
In recent months dozens of farmers from moshavim around the country have joined the Otzar Beis Din — from Takuma in the South and as far north as the Southern Golan Heights. The Otzar Beis Din covers all types of fruit, such as deciduous fruits (summer fruits), citrus fruits and wine grapes. The initial results can be seen immediately after Rosh Hashana when the Otzar Beis Din distributes bananas, which are the first type of produce to ripen. The most pronounced effect will be next summer when summer fruits, esrogim, wine and grape juice will be available at distribution points in all areas of shomrei Shmittah.
At the end of the tour, which was also joined by HaRav Silman, HaRav Marmerosh and HaRav Dvir, the farmers asked HaRav Karelitz for a brochoh as the Shmittah year draws near. HaRav Karelitz offered warm blessings, saying in the merit of Shmittah may they merit keeping many more Shmittah years.
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