By Rabbi Baruch Lederman
JERUSALEM — The Torah details the regulations and specifications of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) which was a precursor to the Bais Hamikdash (Holy Temple) in the Jerusalem. Hashem gave us special Mitzvos to be done in the land of Israel, as well as the ability to carry out those mitzvos as the following true account, documented in Israel National News (Arutz Sheva) illustrates:
Shemittah is an enormously daunting mitvzah to keep because it requires that the land of Israel like fallow every seven years. In a land that depends on its agriculture to survive, this mitzvah is downright scary. Nonetheless, thousands of acres of potato-crop land were saved from the severe damages of the 2007 frost – precisely because they were grown in accordance with Shemittah rules. Despite the loss of some 80% of the year’s potato crop due to frost, tens of thousands of its potato-growing acres in the western Negev were
saved.
Senior Otzar HaAretz agronomist Moti Shomron explains why: “It is forbidden to plant in the Shemittah year, and therefore the farmers following the Otzar HaAretz plan were forced to plant their potato saplings earlier than usual this year. What happened then was that the potato plants sprouted earlier than usual and had time to grow and become stronger before the frost hit. When the frost came, the leaves were hurt, but not the bulbs – and thus the potato crop was saved.”
In contrast, most farmers in Israel planted their potato crops at the regular time, i.e., the end of September, Shomron said, “and unfortunately, most of them are now forced to deal with small, damaged potatoes, and in fact, most of the crop has been destroyed.”
It is estimated that four out of every five tons of potential potatoes for this year have been lost.
Rabbi Yehuda Amichai, head of the Torah and Land Institute – formerly of Gush Katif – which oversees Otzar HaAretz, said, “We have merited this year to see G-d’s miracles and how His will guides us in all our ways. I am happy to be a witness to this ‘agricultural miracle’ that proves how G-d ‘pays back’ those who follow His laws. At the same time, we are sorry for the many farmers in Israel whose crops were ruined in the frost…”
Some 30,000 tons of potatoes were destroyed because of the frost.
Dedicated by Herb & Bette Shatoff in gratitude to Hashem Who protects and preserves the Jewish people in the land of Israel.
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Rabbi Lederman is spiritual leader of Congregation Kehillas Torah. He may be contacted at baruch.lederman@sdjewishworld.com
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