Parashat Behar

We are all familiar with the widespread pasuk used throughout the Torah “VaYedaber HaShem El Moshe Lemor,” — HaShem said to Moshe saying. But here, at the beginning of this weeks parasha, we don’t just start with “Vayedaber HaShem El Moshe Lemor,” but rather we add “VaYedaber HaShem El Moshe BeHar Sinai Lemor,” — HaShem spoke to Moshe on Mount Sinai saying. It seems that the Torah has a lesson that it wishes to convey.

If we look at the psukim following this pasuk, we find that the Torah dives into the laws of the sabbatical year. This raises another famous question brought by Chazal: Why does the Torah specifically say “On Mount Sinai” specifically in context with the laws of Shmittah?

The answer Rashi brings is that just as the general rules and fine points of the laws of Shmittah were stated on Sinai, so, too, the general rules and fine points of all the commandments were started at Sinai.

If this is the case, why did Torah select the laws of Shmittah to discuss, and not any other law from the Torah.

The Chatam Sofer explains that the reason why Shmittah and the Mount Sinai are juxtaposed is because Shmittah is a clear proof that the Torah was given by HaShem, and not fabricated by Moshe Rabbeinu, chas veshalom, for what human being would dare make the promise that “I will ordain My blessing for you in the sixth year and it will yield a crop sufficient for the three-year period”? Only HaShem can guarantee such a thing. Shmittah therefore serves as a proof of revelation at Sinai.

Shmittah also is a reflection of a person’s belief in HaShem and in the Torah, because only if he has tremendous Emunah can a person keep Shmittah and let his fields lie untouched for an entire year.                 

But, on a deeper level, I’d like to suggest that there is a very strong connection between Shmittah and Mount Sinai. As we know, on Mount Sinai, we received the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments are divided into two parts. The first part is made up of the commandments between us and HaShem. The second part is made up of the commandments that are between us and our fellow Jews. In other words, the Ten Commandments are a combination of two different things: Out faith in HaShem, and our relationship with our friends.

We similarly find these two concepts with Shmittah. From the perspective of faith in HaShem, one has to declare that his land really doesn’t belong to him, and it belongs to HaShem. He needs to disown his fields for the entire year. By doing this, he would allow for poor people to come and eat from his fields.

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This Shabbat, we celebrate the Auf Ruff of Nissan and Rachel. Despite being in the month of Iyar, we can still celebrate Nissan. I think that we can clearly see these two great attributes in Nissan and Rachel. It is so pleasant and enjoyable to speak with Nissan, and even to just be around him. And to see him grow spiritually, believing in what he does, is something to admire.

So, on behalf of our congregation, I would like to bless Nissan and wish him Mazal Tov and Siman Tov, and to his fiancé, Rachel, joy and prosperity, and I think the congregation is very happy to have them join us and be part of our wonderful family of Etz Ahaim.