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Why does the Torah (תורה) call Shmita "Shabbos (שבת) LaHashem" if it's merely agricultural rest, and why is exile the punishment for violating it? The shiur builds on the Maharal's understanding of the ground's spiritual nature to show that in Eretz Yisrael, the land's productivity depends on maintaining its connection to Hashem (ה׳) through Shmita observance. When Jews farm during the seventh year, they spiritually disconnect the land from its divine source, causing both spiritual and physical depletion.
This shiur analyzes the mitzvah (מצוה) of Shmita from Parshas Bechukosai, focusing on why the Torah (תורה) calls it "Shabbos (שבת) LaHashem" and the deeper meaning behind letting the land rest every seventh year. Rabbi Greenberg begins by noting that this week's parsha contains the first Tokhacha (rebuke), warning that failure to observe Shmita led to the seventy-year exile corresponding to seventy missed Shmita cycles. The Rambam (רמב"ם) in Moreh Nevuchim explains Shmita practically - the soil becomes depleted of nutrients after six years of farming and needs rest to regenerate. However, this raises several difficulties raised by the Kli Yakar: How can this be called "Shabbos LaHashem" if it's merely for agricultural purposes? Why is exile the punishment for not keeping Shmita rather than simply poor crops? How can the land "rest" during exile when non-Jews continue farming it? The Kli Yakar explains that Shmita demonstrates Hashem (ה׳)'s ownership of Eretz Yisrael - when Jews farm in the seventh year, they act as owners rather than guests in Hashem's house. Non-Jews farming during exile has no theological significance since they were never given ownership. Rabbi Greenberg develops a synthesis using the Maharal's teaching about creation and the ground's spiritual nature. He explains that the ground, being the most physical element of creation, requires connection to Hashem to function properly. In Eretz Yisrael, where Hashem rules directly rather than through natural law, the land's productivity depends entirely on spiritual connection. When Jews maintain this connection through Shmita observance, Hashem provides supernaturally - making the sixth year produce enough for three years. However, when Jews farm during Shmita, they spiritually disconnect the land from Hashem, causing both spiritual and physical depletion. The shiur concludes with contemporary applications, noting that thousands of farmers in modern Israel now observe Shmita properly, supported by organizations like Keren Hashviis, demonstrating that the ancient principles remain relevant today.
Parshas Bechukosai (Vayikra 26)
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