Author Topic: Heter mechira: The ideal way to keep Shmitta  (Read 1799 times)

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Offline ChabadKahanist

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Offline Dr. Dan

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Re: Heter mechira: The ideal way to keep Shmitta
« Reply #1 on: October 03, 2021, 08:59:28 PM »
Very complicated to understand as a non religious Jew. Can you explain what this is?  So far I know that on the 7th year a farmer cannot work his field and in the 50th year there is a big deal.

So explain how this relates to us today in a simple to understand language.
If someone says something bad about you, say something nice about them. That way, both of you would be lying.

In your heart you know WE are right and in your guts you know THEY are nuts!

"Science without religion is lame; Religion without science is blind."  - Albert Einstein

Offline Binyamin Yisrael

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Re: Heter mechira: The ideal way to keep Shmitta
« Reply #2 on: October 03, 2021, 10:50:37 PM »
5782 is divisible by 49. That means next year would be Yovel if it was observed. The last Yovel would have been during the Yom Kippur War. Instead of blowing the shofar to proclaim liberty throughout the Land, sirens sounded. It was Shabbat, Yom Kippur, and Yovel, the highest sanctity.

Offline Kahane-Was-Right BT

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Re: Heter mechira: The ideal way to keep Shmitta
« Reply #3 on: October 04, 2021, 05:04:16 PM »
Quote from: ChabadKahanist
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/314336

This is a very detailed and helpful explanation.
It is absolutely clear to me that it is preferable to support Jewish farmers and buy from them than to buy fruit from our literal enemies instead! 

Offline Kahane-Was-Right BT

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Re: Heter mechira: The ideal way to keep Shmitta
« Reply #4 on: October 04, 2021, 05:05:01 PM »
Very complicated to understand

I think the INN link he provided has a pretty decent explanation

Offline Kahane-Was-Right BT

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Re: Heter mechira: The ideal way to keep Shmitta
« Reply #5 on: October 04, 2021, 05:11:50 PM »
Until I read this article, I didn't even realize that this mitzvah is only Divrei Chachamim at most since the Sanhedrin disbanded (and according to some authorities, no longer in effect at all).  No one ever mentions that.

Offline Dr. Dan

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Re: Heter mechira: The ideal way to keep Shmitta
« Reply #6 on: October 04, 2021, 06:02:11 PM »
I think the INN link he provided has a pretty decent explanation
How would you explain this Halacha in the simplest language to a child? 
If someone says something bad about you, say something nice about them. That way, both of you would be lying.

In your heart you know WE are right and in your guts you know THEY are nuts!

"Science without religion is lame; Religion without science is blind."  - Albert Einstein

Offline Kahane-Was-Right BT

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Re: Heter mechira: The ideal way to keep Shmitta
« Reply #7 on: October 04, 2021, 07:12:17 PM »
Quote from: Dr. Dan
How would u explain 
Tough w character limit.
Torah says, when all tribes in their land, let fields rest once every 7 yrs &receive bracha of plenty, to cover needs by collecting extra yields in 6th yr.

Offline Kahane-Was-Right BT

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Re: Heter mechira: The ideal way to keep Shmitta
« Reply #8 on: October 04, 2021, 07:17:51 PM »
2. Since Tribes dispersed and not all Jews are in their respective lands, Deoraisa requirement not in effect, neither is bracha. Requirement is rabbinical at most. 
So how to observe while not bankrupting Israeli farmers & sabotaging yishuv haaretz?

Offline Kahane-Was-Right BT

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Re: Heter mechira: The ideal way to keep Shmitta
« Reply #9 on: October 04, 2021, 07:19:29 PM »
Heter mechira = Rav Kook and others supported = sell the land to non-Jews so that we can still reap the produce during Shmitta. Still buy from Jewish farmers but technically land owned by non-Jews.
Temporary non-ideal way, until ideal way possible. Many rabbis against this heter.

Offline Kahane-Was-Right BT

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Re: Heter mechira: The ideal way to keep Shmitta
« Reply #10 on: October 04, 2021, 07:21:37 PM »
4. Alternative is to simply buy produce only from Arab producers/farmers (or from abroad if possible. Most are buying directly from Arabs), thus Jewish farmers have no income for 1 year from their own farmlands. Many rabbis against this & support heter mechira for what should b obvious reasons. 

Offline Dr. Dan

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Re: Heter mechira: The ideal way to keep Shmitta
« Reply #11 on: October 05, 2021, 08:17:29 AM »
So if I understand clearly two choices: sell land to non Jews for one year (can one rent land to the non Jew and give them a percentage of proceeds?)
Or buy from Druze or Arabs and let Israel owned land rest.
If someone says something bad about you, say something nice about them. That way, both of you would be lying.

In your heart you know WE are right and in your guts you know THEY are nuts!

"Science without religion is lame; Religion without science is blind."  - Albert Einstein

Offline Tag-MehirTzedek

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Re: Heter mechira: The ideal way to keep Shmitta
« Reply #12 on: October 05, 2021, 12:56:27 PM »
Also Otzer Beit Din. I mildly remember from years ago. I believe that the land officially is owned by Beit Din and they can work that land (needs to be checked, I could be wrong)
.   ד  עֹזְבֵי תוֹרָה, יְהַלְלוּ רָשָׁע;    וְשֹׁמְרֵי תוֹרָה, יִתְגָּרוּ בָם
4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked; but such as keep the law contend with them.

ה  אַנְשֵׁי-רָע, לֹא-יָבִינוּ מִשְׁפָּט;    וּמְבַקְשֵׁי יְהוָה, יָבִינוּ כֹל.   
5 Evil men understand not justice; but they that seek the LORD understand all things.