Yovel, The Year Of The Traveler & The Free Food What does the word Yovel mean? Rav Itzele Volozhin says that Yovel means to be on the move. Anything that is not resting, and goes from place to place, is in a state of Yovel. “The reason why the fiftieth year is called Yovel,” he explains, “is because there is a mass return of displaced people after two generations of moving. The original owners of all sold properties come to lay claim their estate, and slaves finally return home.”
“This,” says Rav Itzele, “explains the connection between Yovel and the fields being hefker for all to eat from. With the mass migration of people, how can they all possibly take enough food for the journey? Therefore, the Torah says that travelers are free to stop in any field and take what they need to refresh themselves and continue on their journey.”
************************************************

When You Are Out Of Words Life Is Over Rav Chaim Vital says that every person is alotted a certain amount of spoken words in his lifetime. Once he reaches his limit, he must die. Those who speak too much will die early, while those who choose their words carefully will live a full life.
The Elef HaMagen (Michaber of Peleh Yoetz) says that there is a remez from the pasuk (Behar 15:16), “Lfi Rov HaShanim Tarbeh Miknaso U’Lfi Mi’ot HaShanim Tam’it Miknaso Ki Mispar Tvuos Hu Mocher Lach.” Literally this refers to the price you pay for a field, and it means according to the number of the years you should increase the price thereof, and according to the fewness of the years, you should diminish the price of it; for it is the number of crops he sells.
However,B’Derech Drush, the Elef HaMagen says that it can be read as follows: Lfi, the words of your mouth. Rov HaShanim, can bring you long life. When, Tarbeh Miknaso, your words contain a wealth of Torah and Mitzvos. U’Lfi, and because of the words of your mouth. Mi’ot HaShanim, your days will be numbered. Tam’it Miknaso if your Torah is minimal and your idle chatter is abundant. Ki Mispar, because a finite number. Tvuos, which is short for Teivos V’Osisos, words and letters. Hu Mocher Lach, Hashem grants you in this world. Use them wisely and use them sparingly!
**************************************************

Money Is Thicker Than Blood “Al Sonu Ish Es Achiv”, one shall not cheat his brother (Behar 25:14). “V’Lo Sonu Ish Es Amiso”, one shall not harass his friend (Behar 25:17). Why concerning cheating does the Torah say “brother”, but concerning “Ona’as Devarim” – harassing with words, does it say your friend?
The Shelah HaKodesh answers, people tend to harass other Jews with hurtful words, but refrain from doing so to their own brother (family). That is why it says, “V’Lo Sonu Ish Es Amiso” – Do not harass your friend. However, when it comes to cheating, one will even cheat his own flesh and blood. That is why the Torah must warn -“Al Sonu Ish Es Achiv” – Don’t cheat your brother.
**************************************************

More Bracha & More Work “The land will give its fruit and you will eat to satisfaction; and will dwell securely upon it. If you will say: What will we eat in the seventh year? — behold! We will not sow and we will not gather our crop! I will send My blessing for you in the sixth year and it will yield a crop sufficient for the three years.” [Vayikra 25: 19-21]. The Sforno infers that Hashem only promises to bestow a bracha on the land following the question “What will we eat?” This implies that when this question is not asked, the bracha is not forthcoming.
The Sforno comments that there are two types of Jews. The first kind of Jew is the Jew who knows that Shmitah and Yovel are approaching. He knows that he will not be planting any seed for two whole years, but he doesn’t ask any questions. He does not fret “What’s going to be? How will we survive?” The Sforno says that for such a Jew, the supernatural large crop will not be provided on the year preceding Shmitah. Rather, a different type of miracle will occur — he will not need more than is provided by the regular sixth year crop. He will be blessed that he will be satisfied with just a small quantity. Some people can live on $100,000 a year. Some people need $1,000,000 a year to live.
The Sforno says that the Jew who is the real believer and who does not ask the question, “How will we ever be able to manage?” will not need the bountiful crop. The crops will not miraculously triple, but he will manage financially. However, says the Sforno, the second type of Jew does not have that level of trust in Hashem. He is frightened by the idea that he will not be able to plant in the seventh year. A miracle will occur for him in the sixth year to calm his anxiety. His crop will triple. But the Bracha will not be on the level of the other person. This person will only receive blessing through toil; by harvesting 3 crops in 1 year.
************************************************

What Do Har Sinai And Shmita Have In Common? “Vayidaber Hashem El Moshe B’Har Sinai” (Behar 35:1). Mah Inyan Shmita Eitzel Har Sinai? Rashi famously asks why does the Torah say that Shmitta was given on Har Sinai. Rashi answers that this teaches us, that just like Shmita, which was not mentioned in the Aseres HaDibros, was given on Sinai, so too were all the other mitzvos. But why is this lesson taught by Shmita as opposed to any other mitzva? The Ben Ish Chai answers that Sinai and Shmita had a fundamental attribute in common. They both symbolize that “less is more.” Har Sinai was chosen to host Matan Torah because it was the lowest and humblest of mountains. Its lack of greatness enabled it to be the site of the greatest event in history. Similarly, Shmita is a year where we allow the field to remain barren. We do not help it produce any fruit. Yet, Hashem promises that this will spark an abundant crop like no other, leading to yields of two to three years, from a single bumper crop in the sixth year. For this reason, says the Ben ish Chai, Shmita was the one mitzva that Hashem used to illustrate that the entire Torah was given at Har Sinai.

Created By Rov Avrohom Sherman
786-565-9945
[email protected]