This Jewish year of 5782 (September 6th, 2021-Sepetember 25th, 2022) is considered the shemitá year (שמיטה) or Sabbatical year (שביעית). The Jewish people are instructed to release the land from farming, allowing it to rest and individuals from debts (Leviticus 25:3–6, Deuteronomy 15:1–2). The rabbis agreed with the interpretation that the land refers to the territories where ancient Israel settled with Joshua. It does not apply outside it; however, many practice, as a symbol of their devotion, giving a break to part of their farm land. It is a very good practice to keep the ground healthy.
Concerning personal debts, to avoid abuses in times of the
Second Temple Judaism the prozbul (פרוזבול > προσβολή)
was developed. Debts are transferred from individuals to the Sanhedrin, today
to the local rabbinical court (Beth Dyn). Hillel the Elder argued that the
debts forgiven were between individuals, not to the community or an institution
like the Sanhedrin. Obviously, today it does not refer to debts made at a bank
or similar financial institution. The purpose was not to avoid releasing individuals
from debts, rather to avoid abuses of this instruction. There were those who
would abuse the law just as today there have been people who, knowing they
would be protected under the bankruptcy laws, get themselves in more debts
before applying for bankruptcy. The prozbul prevents anything like that
from happening. Of course, there are questions about its interpretation. Neverth
eless, there are individuals who had forgiven very large
amounts of money owed to him/her during the shemitá year as an act of
religious devotion, even if the debt is by an institution, even when it does
not apply to salary owed by a “business” to an individual.
This shemitá is every seven years. A beautiful symbol
of the hope for redemption of humanity and the world. A time when nature, i.e.,
environment, and humans will rest from exploitation and other abuses or even
from practices that may be permissible, like farming, but that could cause
damage to the land and the workers if it is uncontrolled.
Every week we have a religious practice of spiritual
devotion, the Shabbath. It is a time of rest to regain both physical and
spiritual strength. It is a gift from the Heavens. The Almighty knows our
physical and spiritual limitations. Often, we gather at the local synagogue for
prayers and to listen the chanting of the section of the Torah (parashá פרשה)
and from the prophets (haftara הפטרה) for that week. Frequently a reflection or sermon is expected,
as an interpretation and application of the readings for our daily lives. We
abstain from work, especially profitable one (some type of needed work within
your house are allowed). It is a weekly time of worship and spiritual
refreshment. It is not a “law” that make us suffer, instead it makes us free. The
prophet Isaiah (66:23) wrote that in the “Messianic” age all nations will
gather to worship the Only One True God on Shabbath. The world was given a time
of rest at Creation and time for renewal at redemption. Keeping Shabbath does
not make us slaves rather free people. It is a time when everyone, the rich and
the poor, people of every ethnicity, gather as members of the Jewish faith to
worship as equals the Almighty.
Take time to rest. Take time to renew yourself physically
and spiritually. Enjoy the gift from the Heavens.
מִזְמ֥וֹר שִׁ֗יר לְי֣וֹם הַשַּׁבָּֽת׃
A psalm. A song; for the sabbath day.
ט֗וֹב לְהֹד֥וֹת לַיי וּלְזַמֵּ֖ר לְשִׁמְךָ֣ עֶלְיֽוֹן׃
It is good to praise the LORD,
to sing hymns to Your name, O Most High,
לְהַגִּ֣יד בַּבֹּ֣קֶר חַסְדֶּ֑ךָ וֶ֝אֱמ֥וּנָתְךָ֗
בַּלֵּילֽוֹת׃
To proclaim Your steadfast love at daybreak,
Your faithfulness each night
עֲֽלֵי־עָ֭שׂוֹר וַעֲלֵי־נָ֑בֶל עֲלֵ֖י הִגָּי֣וֹן
בְּכִנּֽוֹר׃
With a ten-stringed harp,
with voice and lyre together.
כִּ֤י שִׂמַּחְתַּ֣נִי יי בְּפׇעֳלֶ֑ךָ בְּֽמַעֲשֵׂ֖י
יָדֶ֣יךָ אֲרַנֵּֽן׃
You have gladdened me by Your deeds, O LORD;
I shout for joy at Your handiwork.
מַה־גָּדְל֣וּ מַעֲשֶׂ֣יךָ יי
מְ֝אֹ֗ד עָמְק֥וּ מַחְשְׁבֹתֶֽיךָ׃
How great are Your works, O LORD,
how very profound are Your designs!
Written and posted on January 8th, 2022 after Shabbath.
Updated January 9th, 2022
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