This pasuk implies that the blessing will be apparent during the sixth year. Sforno comments that the blessing of prosperity prior to the Shmittah year will be to such an extent that it will ease even the mind of the skeptic. The Yalkut Shemoni cites the pasuk in Tehillim 103:20 which states, “Bless Hashem, O His Angels, the strong warriors who do His bidding, to obey the Voice of His Word.” Rabbi Yitzchak Nafcha says that the words “angels and strong warriors” refer to those who observe Shmittah. The individual sees his fields and vineyards lie fallow, and he accepts Hashem’s edict in silence. Can there be a more powerful warrior than he? Let us attempt to understand the meaning of this inner strength exhibited by the shomrei Shviis, Shmittah observers. If the blessing had been clearly demonstrated during the sixth year, the year prior to Shmittah, the Shmittah observers do not demonstrate great faith. Is it that difficult to let fields lie fallow after they have it just produced a triple yield? After all, what is the possible risk?
Horav Ze’ev Weinberger, Shlita, interprets their strength as the ability to attribute the spectacular yield to just a miracle. They might be led to think that their hard work and soil and weather conditions effected a bumper crop. For this reason, they are considered strong warriors. They are able to see through the cloud of misconception to perceive that it is Hashem’s gift to them that they can allow the land to rest during the seventh year without anxiety.
The ability to comprehend events as being Divinely ordained requires a special attitude – one cultivated by the Torah. It takes a special inner strength — inspired by emunah and bitachon in Hashem — to realize that it all is a gift from Hashem. It is, however, a gift with a purpose. It is a gift that permits us to observe calmly what might otherwise be an emotionally demanding mitzvah. The strong warrior is the one whose strength is derived from his unwavering faith in the Almighty.
