Israeli farmers to follow a full year of rest
Posted on July 24, 2007 • By Deena Levenstein
Category: Environment |
Every seven years many Israeli farmers stop farming their land in accordance with the Jewish law called shmita. Religious leaders meet with farmers in order to discuss with them the issues involved in this mitzva (commandment).
Since the 1950s and ’60s, the number of dunams that “rest” during the shmita year has increased from 1000 dunams to around 220,000 dunams. It is estimated that 400,000 dunams will lie fallow during the upcoming shmita year.
Serious financial loss can result to farmers who are willing to stop farming for a whole year. Some farmers are expected to gross $1.5 million for shutting down their operations. Diaspora Jews, particularly from the US, help offset these losses by raising money during the 6th year of the shmita cycle to support the farmers during this year of rest.
Michal Lando, “Mitzva makers”, The Jerusalem Post, July 24, 2007
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