Shabbat Parashat Bereishit 5784

Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook: Preparation for Shemitta – #172

Date and Place: 25 Cheshvan 5669 (1908), Yafo

Recipient: The members of the moshavot (agricultural settlements)  

Body: Next year, 5670 will be a Shemitta year. It is known that there are a lot of questions and dilemmas on all the matters of working the land during the Seventh Year. It is true that we are in the practice of being lenient, based on the famous ruling of the giants of Torah to sell the land to non-Jews as a temporary ruling. This will be carried out under the rulings of an important beit din, as long as it views the situation of the Jewish community of Eretz Yisrael as leaving no other choice. However, many matters still need to be clarified: Which agricultural processes are totally permitted? Which are permitted only if performed by a non-Jew? Which actions are not critical for the viability of the community and to remedy the situation, and there would be no damage if they will wait for the year after Shemitta (in which case, they should not be done at all)?

We have rabbinical sources, from Chazal to Rishonim and Acharonim, from whom we can find answers to all questions, based on the proper means of developing deep halachic rulings. However, it is also necessary to have a nice amount of knowledge about the details of the agricultural work. This information needs to relate to the nature of the work, how it is carried out practically, and how critical it is. Sometimes these matters cannot be determined without knowledge based on the practical experience of those who work in the field.

Therefore, I am requesting of all who are involved in the cultivation of our Holy Land in the dear moshavot, may they be successful, both the individuals and the distinguished councils, to please send me, each according to his ability, exact information regarding the work that is done in their area. Of those who are also knowledgeable in Torah, I request that they be so kind as to write to me the halachic dilemmas about which they have insight. This will combine their knowledge of Torah and their knowledge of agriculture. These steps will help us clarify the relevant matters seriously and respond to all those who ask for clear responses according to true application of the Torah, with Hashem’s help.

I have a special request of those few who are able to be careful and do not want to take advantage of the leniencies that stem from the sale of the land, but will keep the full gamut of the laws of Shemitta. They will need to know in greater detail all the types of work and practices that are connected to the sanctity of the upcoming Shemitta. They should prepare their specific questions as soon as possible, so that we will be able to securely set the parameters for their activities on time.

Whoever can present his correspondence on these matters in Hebrew will be doing a nice thing. However, whoever cannot do so, should not hold back what he has to say in whatever language he has to say it.

The Savior of Israel shall quickly begin the process of our salvation in the Holy Land and shall shower His holy nation in its homeland with a flow of unending blessing. May He give us a great name and stature among the nations of the world, when He sends forth salvation from Zion to Israel in whom He is glorified, soon in our days.

Top of page

Print this page

Send to friend