Rabbi Danny Sackstein
Sunny Road Shul
Sometimes a subtle hint is sufficient. At other times we need blatant reminders. All too often we spend our time in this world grappling with this issue, refusing to accept that there is a higher force orchestrating our lives on a cosmic scale. When we open ourselves to this truth and focus on that which is in our control, we begin to live spiritually productive lives.
Rabbi Abraham ben David, known as the Raavad (1125 – 1198), in his famous work Baalei Hanefesh, explains that many of the mitzvoth demonstrate this point, that G-d is in charge of the world.
The mitzvoth assist us in developing the correct perspective and reminding us of the existence of a higher being. Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe (1914 – 2005) describes Shabbos and Shmittah as two mitzvoth that fall under this category.
This week we read Parshas Behar-Bechukosai. Behar begins with the mitzvah of Shmittah, “When you enter the land that I give you, the land should rest a Shabbos for Hashem”. Rashi (1040 – 1105) explains that “for Hashem” means for the sake of Hashem.
He adds that we find the exact wording in the Ten Commandments with regard to the weekly Shabbos: “And the seventh day shall be a Shabbos for Hashem”. G-d is telling us that the common denominator of these two mitzvoth is to remind us that He is the boss.
During Shmittah, which falls out this year in Israel, we desist from working the land. All the produce that grows during this year is free for the taking. The land is not ours, it belongs to Hashem.
Likewise, on Shabbos we are commanded to refrain from performing the 39 creative activities called melachos. The melachos are all acts of creation. On Shabbos, we demonstrate that we are ceasing to create, for Hashem is the sole Creator of the world.
Shmittah is infrequent and uncommon, since it only takes place once every seven years and applies only to Eretz Yisrael. On the other hand, Shabbos occurs weekly and is relevant everywhere in the world. Shabbos helps us remember that Hashem runs the world and we are His caretakers.
Fortunate is the person who internalises this message of Shmittah and Shabbos, that we live in G-d’s world, created for us to acknowledge that He is the boss and faithfully follow His precepts.
