Feature Tidbit
for Parashat B'har

Price of Rice or Tea in China

In the States, when we wanted to ask what one thing had to do with another (when they seemed not to be related), we said, What does that have to do with the price of tea in China? I found out that other people asked about the price of rice. And I'm sure that there are other expressions in English to ask the same question. In modern Hebrew, the question is, MA INYAN SHMITA EITZEL HAR SINAI? What is the issue of locating the command of Shmita at Har Sinai. I've often wondered how many so-called secular Jews who use that expression know they are quoting Rashi.

Rashi gives an answer. See the Sedra Summary for it. Here, I would like to give another answer - one that is so powerful (in my opinion) that it serves not only as an answer, but also as a rebuke of the one who asked the question, for not seeing the obvious. Or not understanding the obvious.

Shmita represents the mitzvot of Eretz Yisrael, and by extension, it represents Eretz Yisrael. Not only is it one of the mitzvot that depend upon the Land and our being here, it is also singled out as the reason we were exiled from the Land, because of the improper observance thereof. Shmita is Eretz Yisrael.

And Har Sinai represents Torah. Har Sinai is Torah. We always speak of Torah MiSinai. Moshe kibeil Torah miSinai... Etc.

So when you ask the question why is Shmita identified with Har Sinai, you are also asking what Torah and Eretz Yisrael have to do with each other.

And the answer to that question is obvious. Nonetheless, the answer bears repeating and emphasis. And as many times as I've addressed the following ideas, I feel it is vital to keep saying them, until they sink in.

One of the p'sukim in B'har jump out at me this week and smacked me between the eyes (as the expression goes). It was when I saw this pasuk and realized what it was saying, that I decided what I would write about in this week's lead tidbit. It is the summary pasuk on the section about Shmita and Yovel. And it sounds very familiar. But noticeably different.

ANI HASHEM ELOKEICHEM, I Am G-d, your G-d, ASHER HOTZEITI ETCHEM MEI-ERETZ MITZRAYIM, Who took you out of Egypt - and here's where it changes from the familiar - LATEIT LACHEM ET ERETZ K'NA'AN, in order to give you Eretz Yisrael, L'H'YOT LACHEM LEILOKIM, in order to be your G-d.

Very similar to the concluding pasuk of the Sh'ma, but with an additional reason (so to speak) given for G-d's having taken us out of Egypt. To be our G-d - that specifically points to Torah and Mitzvot. To give us Eretz Yisrael - that focuses on a subset of Torah and Mitzvot, but places ERETZ YISRAEL side-by-side with TORAH as the reason for our being taken out of Egypt, as the reason for our existence as a Nation.

Right up front, G-d set down these two purposes of His special relationship with us. When He first appeared to Moshe Rabeinu at the Burning Bush, after "identifying" Himself to Moshe, He said, "I have seen what's going on in Egypt and have heard the screams of the people and I will descend to save them from Egypt AND TO BRING THEM UP FROM THAT LAND TO A GOOD LAND, TO A LAND FLOWING WITH MILK AND HONEY..." Then G-d tells Moshe that a proof that I have sent you is the fact that when you bring the people out of Egypt, you will return to this mountain to serve Me here. (The mountain in question was Har Sinai, of course.) G-d made it clear from the beginning - His plan was to take us out of Egypt, make us into His nation, by giving us the Torah and bringing us to Eretz Yisrael.

Shavuot not only celebrates Matan Torah, it is also Yom HaBikurim. Shavu'ot is the joint celebration of getting the Torah and coming into the Land.

What is Shmita doing near Har Sinai? Making a statement. An important one. One we dare not forget.

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