Sicha, 20 Iyar 5734
A. The Context of Shemitah
This week’s Torah reading, Behar, opens with the words: “G-d spoke to Moses at Mount Sinai, saying,” and immediately presents the laws of shemitah (the Sabbatical year). Rashi explains that this verse teaches us that just as all the details of the shemitah laws were given by G-d at Mount Sinai, so too were all the mitzvot of the Torah, with all their laws and details, given at Mount Sinai (Source 1).
The Rebbe asks:
From the fact that the Torah chose to emphasize this idea specifically through the mitzvah of shemitah, we can understand that this mitzvah contains general features that reflect the nature of all the Torah’s mitzvot. At face value, shemitah applies only in the Land of Israel, and one might think the Torah should rather have chosen a mitzvah that is relevant everywhere. What is the unique concept of shemitah that makes it relevant to all the mitzvot of the Torah?
B. The Secret of Eternity
The eternal nature of the Torah is one of its basic principles. The Torah never changes, under any circumstances. When the Jewish people live according to the Torah, they too become eternal.
This is clearly evident through a historical lens: over the generations, mighty empires arose—such as Egypt, Babylonia, and Assyria—under which the Jews were exiled. Yet, over time, those empires changed and disappeared. In contrast, the small and persecuted Jewish people have survived, from the time of Abraham our forefather until today.
What defined and preserved the Jewish people throughout the generations? Observance of Judaism and the performance of mitzvot. But preserving merely the principles or spirit of Judaism is not enough. Actual observance of mitzvot, is essential, in detailed practice according to halachah.
Why?
The Rebbe explains that, as in any area of life, we can learn from history—recognizing which approaches failed and identifying the one path that succeeded. Many methods were tried in Jewish history: the worshippers of the Golden Calf, the worshippers of Baal, the Sadducees who only accepted the Written Torah, and Jews enamored with foreign cultures, who saw the Torah as outdated and foreign philosophies as relevant. What became of all these groups? Some assimilated into their surroundings, while others eventually returned to Judaism.
Only one approach endured: the practical and faithful observance of the Torah’s mitzvot, exactly as they were given at Sinai. The same tefillin and tzitzit, unchanged! This is the secret of the Jewish people’s survival.
C. Shemitah Reflects Eternity
Now we can understand why shemitah was chosen to highlight the eternal nature of the Torah.
The mitzvah of shemitah lasts an entire year. The seasons of the year symbolize the changing phases of a person’s life: spring represents the beginning of life; fall the process of maturing; and winter the later stages. Just as the mitzvah of shemitah must be kept throughout all seasons, so too must a person observe the Torah and mitzvot throughout all the stages and changing circumstances of life.
Another allusion: shemitah is observed in the field and orchard. A field produces essential food for human survival, while an orchard yields fruits that are not essential but bring pleasure and delight.
This teaches that a Jew should not be satisfied with fulfilling mitzvot at the bare minimum, but should perform them with excitement and joy.
