Parshas Behar (5760)
By Mordechai Dolinsky
At the beginning of the Parsha Rashi brings down the Chazal that explains the lesson we derive from the fact that the Mitzvah of Shmita was placed next to Sinai, Matan Torah. What still needs clarification is what is special about Shmita that it was selected to teach us this lesson. The very obvious importance of Shmita is the lesson of bitachon. The Menuchas HaNefesh, the peace of mind that comes with realization that HaShem is in control. I would like to share another thought reflecting the specialty of Shmita.
The Mitzvah of Shmita quite obviously required a substantial amount of dedication. However I suspect there is a major aspect of the mitzvah that is overlooked and not properly understood. The general populace in Eretz Yisroel owned their land and agriculture was their source of livelihood and sustenance. What was necessary for the fulfillment of Shmita wasn’t what we call idealism, intensive motivation, mesiras nefesh, or high level inspiration. The word for it is called suicide—economic suicide. What Hashem required from Klal Yisroel was financial suicide and not just from the elite, the Talmidei Chachamim and Tzaddikim but from the simple masses and their families; women, children, old parents and grandparents. They were all subjected to the trauma of complete, utter economic disaster, void of any support, stability or hope of getting help from others. They were all in the same sunken boat.
They tell the story of a hiker, an agnostic, who stood too close to the edge of the Grand Canyon and slipped off a high cliff. He tumbled down the sheer wall and miraculously broke his fall by grabbing a branch that was growing out of the cliff. It broke his fall but he was dangerously stuck in that position, unable to climb up or down the sheer cliff. Lifting his eyes to Heaven he called out: “If there is anyone up there please help me”. A voice replied: “I’ll help you my son, but you must believe in Me”. “I believe, I believe” he answered. Again the Heavenly voice rang out: “If you believe, my son, let go of the branch”. There was a hesitation and then came the hiker’s voice again: “Is there anyone else up there who can help me”?
Through the mitzvah of Shmita HaShem requests that we let go of the branch. If we made an overview of Avodas Hashem and examine it carefully we would find numerous instances where HaShem asks us to let go of the branch. We are demonstrating our belief, our loyalty and love for Hashem. That is a tall order even for person of great stature and surely for a simple person. We come from good stock and have the neshamos of our forefathers in our blood. Shmita belongs right next to Har Sinai.