Taking a Sabbatical

Ilana & Doron Toweg at their farm

Ilana and Doron Toweg have become modern-day heroes and role models for millions of people both in Israel and around the world.

They are owners of a large agricultural farm in Moshav Azaria and are one of the premier sources of produce in Israel. At one point they served as the exclusive eggplant supplier to Strauss, Israel’s largest food distributors.

But, in 2014, they made a huge decision that would seem extremely illogical to any serious entrepreneur.

“Strauss thought I’d fallen on my head,” Doron said about the distribution company after he announced his plans to comply with the rules relating to the Mitzvah of the Shemitta commandment.

The Mitzvah of Shemitta (sabbatical) comes around once in seven years when farmers in the land of Israel are commanded to allow their land to rest by not working in their fields or commercially selling their produce. Instead, the produce is to be made ownerless and available for everyone to benefit for personal consumption.

The source for this Mitzvah is taught in this week’s Torah portion, Behar. “When you come to the land that I am giving you, the land shall rest a Sabbath to the Lord. You may sow your field for six years, and for six years you may prune your vineyard, and gather in its produce. But in the seventh year, the land shall have a complete rest a Sabbath to the Lord; you shall not sow your field, nor shall you prune your vineyard. -Leviticus 25:1-4

As to how the farmers will support themselves during this year, the Torah addresses it by stating further:

And if you should say, "What will we eat in the seventh year? We will not sow, and we will not gather in our produce!" [Know then, that] I will command My blessing for you in the sixth year, and it will yield produce for three years. -Leviticus 25:20-21

Every Shemitta year, thousands of farmers in Israel, like Ilana and Doron, have embraced this special Mitzvah by displaying great faith and commitment to G-d. While they don’t consider themselves to be particularly religious, the Towegs have chosen to observe this unique Mitzvah and serve as exemplary role models by inspiring millions of Jews across the globe. At the same time, recognizing that we are all responsible for one another, hundreds of thousands of people have come together to financially support these farmers and enable them to fulfil their responsibilities (see here for more about their story).

While there may be agricultural benefits to leaving the field fallow every seven years, such as to enable the nutrients in the ground to be replenished, the ultimate reason for this Mitzvah is to instill faith within us and to recognize the true source of livelihood.

It is only natural for us to crave ownership and to protect our valuable resources and assets such as our home or business. It takes immense humility and vulnerability to let go of the notion that we have ultimate control over our financial successes and achievements. Agriculture, even today, serves as an outsized source for our economy and sustenance. The Mitzvah of Shemitta is a powerful reminder and inspiration for us to take a break from the rat-race mentality and to focus on meaningful pursuits.

Although the laws of the sabbatical year apply only in the Land of Israel, its lessons are applicable in our day-to-day lives wherever we live. As Jews, we must dedicate time for prayer and Torah study; we are responsible to give charity and take off work to celebrate Sabbath/holidays. How can we hope to live financially sound lives with so many responsibilities? This is the lesson of the Sabbatical year. If we do what G-d requires, He will bless us—not only spiritually, but materially as well.

Allegorically, the six years during which work is permitted are compared to the six millennia of the world’s present state of existence which according to Jewish belief is the year 5784 since creation. The seventh year corresponds to the seventh millennium, when the world will “rest” from its present state. Thus, we are now in the latter part of the sixth millennium, i.e., towards the end of the sixth “year.” In the merit of our simple faith, expressed in our dedication to our Divine mission despite all obstacles, G-d will increase the yield of the “sixth year,” and bring us the Redemption.