What really is the question? Let us see the sixth year’s yield. If it is sufficient for three years, why is the individual questioning Hashem? If it is insufficient, what response are we giving to him? The commentators respond with various approaches to this obvious question. The Alter M’Novardek, zl, offers a powerful insight into the concept of bitachon, trust in the Almighty, which sheds light on the pesukim. The individual of no faith does not wait until the sixth year to question Hashem. He does not wait patiently until the last minute, anticipating a cure, a livelihood, an answer…
In the Talmud Avodah Zarah 62a, Chazal infer that we may eat that which grows during the Shemittah year. The produce, however, may not be bought and sold commercially. Chazal expound upon the stringency of the command prohibiting any form of commerce with the fruits of shviis, the seventh year. What is so unique about this prohibition is that there seems to be such an anathema about it? Indeed, Chazal teach us that one who buys or sells peiros sheviis will ultimately lose all of his possessions. He will be compelled to beg for his sustenance, to the point that…