What is Shmittah?

The torah states:

“When you enter the land that I give you, the land shall observe a Shabbat for Hashem. Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you will prune your vineyard and gather its produce. In the seventh year there shall be a Shabbat of solemn rest, a Shabbat for Hashem; you shall neither sow your field nor prune your vineyard. The after growth of your harvest you shall not reap, and the grapes of your keeping you shall not gather; it shall be a year of rest for the land”

(Vayikra 25:2-6)

The shmittah or in English (the sabbatical year) occurs every seven years according to the Jewish calendar. The laws of shmittah apply in the land of Israel roughly from the Northern Negev to the Lebanese – Syrian border and to the Jordan River in the east. There are two components to shmittah. A. The cessation of all main agricultural activities according to the torah are planting,  grape pruning and harvesting and plowing. B. The negation of all outstanding monetary loans accumulated over the past six years. Since the holy temple in Jerusalem was destroyed almost 2000 years ago, shmittah is considered by most rabbis to be of rabbinic origin. This means for owners of gardens, is that there are allowed to maintain, but not improve their plants. Shmittah is also beneficial for the environment by letting the land lay fallow to increase its natural fertility, and reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers. Here is a list of permitted actions during the shmittah. If you have any questions please consult a competent rabbi.

1. Watering to keep the plants alive.

2. Pruning shrubs and trees to prevent disease or blocking pathways, utility lines etc.

3. Spraying in extreme cases if insects attack trees and shrubs.

4. Weeding overgrown weeds in flowerpots that can strangle plants.

5. Repairing and replacing broken pipes and old water systems.

6. Placing dirt on exposed roots of plants to prevent them drying out and dying.

7. Moving pots on an open balcony to clean, paint, repair walls and floors etc.

This is only a brief outline of what shmittah is. If you are interested in learning more then down load my book. Or if want to learn the more technical aspects of shmittah, go to your local Jewish bookstore or order them on line.