Rabbonim and poskim are issuing warnings over Shmittah
breaches in projects carried out at various municipal sites
and are calling on public representatives in each of these
places to make every effort to preserve the sanctity of Eretz
Yisroel.
Alongside Highway 6, trees are being planted in violation of
halochoh. When the landscaping project began, activists
notified the Chief Rabbinate about the problem, but nothing
has been done to prevent this act of desecration.
Rabbonim also protested a JNF tree-planting project in the
Jerusalem area that involves serious Torah prohibitions. At
the beginning of this week Har Nof residents were astonished
to see JNF tractors plowing olive groves on the slopes
between Rechov Hamelamed and Har Hamenuchos.
JNF declined to comment on its violations of Jewish law.
Last week Moriah (a company owned by the city of Jerusalem)
workers were spotted planting trees at the entrance to
Highway 9 in Jerusalem, but following extensive efforts,
Mayor Rabbi Uri Lupoliansky managed to put a stop to the
work.
Following these incidents rabbonim and gedolei Torah
are asking that every effort be made to prevent this
desecration, and say by keeping the Shmittah year may we
merit brochoh and tosefes kedushoh in Eretz
Yisroel.