This week’s parsha, Bahar, discusses the mitzvah of the shemittah year. Every seven years, farmers and landowners in Israel take a break from working the land for the entire year. They are not allowed to plant any seeds or water their plants. During this period, they are also obligated to let any people or animals that pass freely take from their field. This is Hashem’s way of showing that the land solely belongs to Him, and He is simply lending it to us.
When explained the right way, this can be a valuable lesson for our everyday lives. We must realize that everything that we have is to be attributed to Hashem. We are graciously given our bodies, our possessions, and our abilities by Hashem, and we have to be grateful every single day and share it with people who are not as lucky as we are.
For example, we have to be thankful for how blessed we are to live in beautiful homes. We express that appreciation by fulfilling the mitzvah of inviting guests to share Hashem’s gift with us. Think about that when you look across the dinner table at your grateful neighbor, and make sure to go out of your way to make them feel welcome in your home like Hashem does for us in this world.
Shabbat Shalom!
By: Adira Kahn
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