This week, we conclude the book of Vayikra with a powerful message about faith, responsibility, and trust in Hashem. Parashat Behar opens with the mitzvah of shemitah – the commandment that every seventh year, the land of Israel must rest. Farmers are to stop working their fields and rely on what the land naturally produces, dedicating the year to spiritual growth and Torah learning.
But this raises a famous question, as Rashi asks: Why does the Torah say that the laws of shemitah were given “at Mount Sinai”? After all, the mitzvah won’t even be relevant for another seventy-plus years, when the people finally enter the Land of Israel and begin working the land. Why talk about it now?
The answer reveals something deep about the nature of Torah. The mitzvah of shemitah is a test of both faith and responsibility. Naturally, people wonder: “What will we eat in the seventh year?” At first glance, this question might seem like a lack of trust. But the Torah tells us that Hashem promises to bless the sixth year with enough produce to last for three years — a miracle of abundance.
What’s remarkable is that the Torah doesn’t criticize the people for asking this question. In fact, it anticipates the question and answers it. Why? Because this isn’t a question of doubt, but of logistics. The people believe — they know Hashem will provide — they simply want to understand how that blessing will unfold.
In that sense, shemitah is like Shabbat. Just as we work for six days and rest on the seventh, trusting that everything will be taken care of, so too with shemitah. But shemitah adds another dimension — it’s a national Shabbat, tied to the land and to our collective faith as a people.
At its core, shemitah teaches us a critical lesson about our partnership with Hashem. We are expected to do our part — to work, to plan, to prepare. But we also recognize that we are never in control of the results. There’s a balance between our hishtadlut (effort) and Hashem’s brachah (blessing).
When B’nei Yisrael received the Torah at Sinai, they accepted it with complete trust — na’aseh v’nishma — “we will do, and we will listen.” Shemitah reminds us that real emunah (faith) doesn’t mean we stop asking questions. It means we ask with trust, not fear. We ask knowing Hashem is already providing — we just want to know how to carry out His will in the best possible way.
As many of our students prepare for final exams and complete their end-of-year projects, I want to share this same message with you: your efforts matter deeply. Study hard, do your best, and trust that Hashem will bless your efforts with success. You are not alone in this journey — we believe in you, and we’re cheering you on.
May we all strengthen our faith, deepen our efforts, and always feel the blessings of Hashem in all the work we do.
Shabbat Shalom and best of luck on finals!
Rabbi Eli Reisman
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