The Sabbatical Year makes Eretz Yisrael to His Land HaAretz
Abstract of a Commentary on this parasha
by Michael Schneider, israel today, Jerusalem:
This week we again have a double Torah portion. In the first part, “BeHar – At the mount (Sinai),” God’s appointed times of rest are stressed.
God ordered resting times for mankind and for nature, which He connected with the number seven (sheva). In Hebrew, a week is called shavua because of its seven days. The shabbat, the seventh day, is the holy resting day for all mankind, even gentiles (see Isaiah 66).
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Rabbi Chaim Richman, The Temple Institute, Jerusalem:
“G-d commands the children of Israel to observe the sabbatical year by letting the land of Israel rest. This act of sanctifying the land by placing our total faith in G-d, grants us the peace we so fervently desire.” Watch Video-Commentary here ▼
Nor was nature forgotten. According to our reading, the land should rest every seven years (the Sh’mita Year).
Additionally, the Seventh Millenium – according to the Jewish calender we are ending the 6000 years! The Mishna refers to this when it calls the Shabbat, the seventh day, a “foretaste of the World-to-Come.”
Seven, as we can see, is a number of fullness and completion (shalem), which has the same root of the word for peace (shalom).
In the second part of our double portion, beginning from chapter 26, the topic is that of blessing and curse. When we serve God with joy and walk in His paths, He showers/overwhelms us with His blessings, and keeps us away from any curse.
Shabbat Shalom!
