BEHAR By Mark Gersten in memory of Helene, z”l

Of all the Mitzvot available to teach we are told Moses discussed Shemita at Har Sinai

This Mitzvah teaches two cornerstones of Judaism

1) Faith in G-d that he will provide even if you don’t plant or harvest for a year

(or two with Yovel)

2) Humility -to view YOUR ancestral land as common property available to anyone once every seven year.

The people can come on your property at will and take whatever they find growing in the field!

The Poetic Parsha

FIRST AT SINAI, MOSES CHOSE

THE MITZVAH “SHEMITA” TO DISCLOSE.

WHY OF ALL THE ONES HE COULD

HE FELT THIS WAS THE ONE HE SHOULD?

TWO MAJOR LESSONS DOES IT SHOW

THROUGH IT OUR FAITH IN G-D CAN GROW.

FIRST, ONE CANNOT PLANT HIS FIELD

THE SEVENTH YEAR TO TAKE ITS YIELD.

SHABBAS YOU CAN’T WORK ONE DAY,

WITH SHEMITAH ONE WHOLE YEAR’S DELAY.

NO CHANCE TO EARN YOUR DAILY BREAD,

FULL FAITH IN G-D YOU NEED INSTEAD.

AND SECOND, HUMBLE YOU MUST BE.

NOT SHOWING ANGER ,JEALOUSY,

WHEN PEOPLE TRAMPLE ON YOUR FIELD

AND TAKE TO EAT ITS MEAGER YIELD.

ANYONE CAN COME OR GO,

ONTO YOUR FIELD YOU CAN’T SAY NO.

THIS ANCESTRAL LAND FROM HASHEM

THIS YEAR MUST SHARE WITH ALL OF THEM