B"H
Wednesday, Iyar 24, 5778 (39th day of Sefirah) / May 9, 2018
This Shabbat, in the Diaspora, we read the two final Parshiot in the Book of Leviticus; B'Har & B'Chukotei. In Israel, where they read B’Har this past Shabbat, only B’Chukotei is read. From here on the Torah readings in Israel and the Diaspora will be the same.
Parshat B'Har begins with the mitzvah of letting fields rest during Shemita(Sabbatical year): "And the L-rd spoke to Moshe on Mount Sinai saying: Speak to the children of Israel and say to them. When you come into the land which I give you, the land shall keep a Sabbath unto the L-rd. Six years you shall sow your field and six years you shall prune your vineyard and gather in its produce. But a Sabbath of solemn rest shall be in the seventh year.”
In reply to the question, "What shall we eat the seventh year?" G-d promises, "I will command My blessings upon you in the sixth year and the earth will produce food for the three years." Thus, observing the mitzvah of resting on the Sabbatical year will give a person more rather than less.
Sevenis a significant number. Our sages say, "The seventh is favored." Shabbat is the seventh day. The seventh yearis Shemitah. After sevenShemitah years, there is the year of "Yovel" - "Jubilee." In preparation for receiving the Torah on Shavuot, we count Sefirah for seven weeks.
The three patriarchs and four matriarchs total seven. Moshe was seventh generationfrom Abraham.
One reason for refraining from working the fields on the Sabbatical Year is to devote that year to Torah study and spiritual elevation.
Another reason: To strengthen one's reliance (Betachon) in G-d. During the other six years one may attribute their success to their own hard work. By resting during the seventh year, we must relycompletely on G-d. Thus, one's faith in G-d becomes stronger.
Also: During the Sabbatical year we can better appreciate the needs of the poor who don't have their own field and must continuously rely on the mercy and generosity of others. This leads to a better understanding of the importance of helping those who are needy.
The Parsha ends with the mitzvah of observing Shabbat. "My Shabbat you shall keep... I am the L-rd." The beginning of the Parsha and the end of the Parsha tell us that by observing the day of Shabbat and the Sabbatical year, we receive G-d's continued blessings.
The Talmud says, "A person's livelihood is determined on Rosh Hashana for the entire year, except for the expenses for Shabbat, the holidays and the expenses for the children's Torah education. The more one spends in honor of Shabbat and the holidays and to teach children Torah, the more G-d pays back in return."
HAVE A HAPPY, HEALTHY, SUCCESSFUL AND WONDERFUL DAY