RABBI SHALOM ROSNER
Rav Kehilla, Nofei HaShemesh Maggid Shiur, Daf Yomi, OU.org Senior Ra"M, Kerem B'Yavneh
Exile as Punishment for Violating Shemitta ועשית את חוקותי ואת מצוותי תשמרו ועשיתם אותם )יח: (ויקרא כה.ושבתם על הארץ לבטח Wherefore you perform My statutes and ordinances and do them; and you shall dwell in the land in safety. (Vayikra 25:18) The Torah explicitly states that if we fulfill the commandments, we will be blessed with peace and prosperity in Eretz Yisrael. However, in the tokhaha of Parshas Behukosai, the Torah states:
)לד: (ויקרא כו.אז תרצה הארץ את שבתותיה Then the land will make up for its sabbaticals. (Vayikra 26:34) Rashi draws out the implication: “Israel is exiled on account of the violation of Shemitta, as it says: ‘Then the land will make up for its sabbaticals.’” More than any other transgression, failure to observe Shemitta leads to exile. This connection between Shemitta and Galus (exile) demands an explanation. 26
TORAH TIDBITS / BEHAR BECHUKOTAI 5780
In the sefer KeMotzei Shalal Rav, an idea is brought down by Rabbi Yaakov Hai Zarihan who suggests that the purpose of Shemitta is to show the farmer and everyone else that HaKadosh Barukh Hu is in charge. Even though the land is worked for six years and the land should naturally be worn out, Hashem provides us with enough sustenance during the sixth year to sustain us through Shemitta and the following growing season. Shemitta proves God’s providence, showing everyone that Hashem watches over, protects, and provides for each individual. Rabbi Zarihan suggests that there is another way that Hashem’s providence is demonstrated: by the existence of the Jewish people. According to natural law, a small, persecuted, downtrodden nation in exile should cease to exist. Yet, the Jewish people have survived for thousands of years, outlasting the very empires that persecuted them. The only explanation is Divine Providence. Hashem protected and watched over us. Mark Twain once expressed his amazement at the miracle of the existence of the Jewish people: If the statistics are right, the Jews constitute but one quarter of one percent of the human race. It suggests
