Parshat Behar Bechukosai 5780
Rabbi Jablinowitz
We read in the beginning of the first of our two parshiyot this week (Chapter 25, Pasuk 2), V'Shavsah Ha'Aretz, Shabbos L'Hashem. Upon commanding the mitzvah of Shmittah the Torah tells us that the mitzvah of Shmittah should be like Shabbos. In what way does the mitzvah of Shmittah parallel Shabbos?
The Sfas Emes teaches that on Shabbos we receive a Neshamah Yeseirah. This "additional soul" we receive on Shabbos is by virtue of having experienced Yetzias Mitzrayim. The freedom we received when we left Egypt is a freedom from the usual limitations of Olam Hazeh. Mitzrayim comes from the word "Meitzar" which means a narrow strait. When we left Mitzrayim we received the potential to leave the narrow straits of our world of physical pleasure and limitation. Only when we left Egypt were we able to receive Shabbos.
This is why Shabbos is called Zecher Le'Yetzias Mitzrayim; without leaving Mitzrayim we couldn't have Shabbos. Without Yetzias Mitzrayim we wouldn't be able to have our Neshamah Yeseirah, the ability to expand our spiritual boundaries on Shabbos and leave behind the limitations we experience during the six days of the week. This unique spiritual state of Shabbos is why refer Chazal refer to Shabbos as a Nechalah Bli Metzarim, a portion without boundaries.
The physical expression of the spiritual expansion of Nachalah Bli Metzarim is Eretz Yisrael. Yaakov Avinu was told in parshat Vayeitzei (Chapter 28, Pasukim 13-14), Ha'Aretz Asher Atah Shocheiv Aleha…U'Faratzta Yamah V'Kaidmah Tzafonah V'Negbah. Yaakov Avinu was told that his portion of Eretz Yisrael which he was lying on was without borders and would spread out in all directions. Yaakov Avinu understood and appreciated the unique holiness of Eretz Yisrael and that the whole word receives its blessing from Eretz Yisrael. In order to receive the portion without borders, one needs to be aware of the significance of the gift.
Just as we receive our Neshamah Yeseirah on Shabbos Kodesh, Eretz Yisrael receives its Neshamah Yeseirah from Shmittah. The lack of work during the Shmittah year, which is an acknowledgment that all the land belongs to Hashem, gives it its special dose of Kedushah. For on Shmittah we take the land we received from Hashem and give it back to Him. The Medrash Tanchuma teaches that Hashem gave Eretz Yisrael to Avraham Avinu, and he gave it back to Hashem as the pasuk says (Bereishis, Chapter 14, Pasuk 19), Baruch Avram L'Keil Elyon Koneh Shamayim V'Aretz. Avraham declared Hashem as Koneh Shamayim V'Aretz; the owner of the land. Similarly, when we kept Shmittah and declare Hashem as being the owner of the land, Eretz Yisrael receives its Neshamah Yeseirah. We are declaring, this is not a regular piece of earth; this is Gd's holy land.
The pasuk says later in the parsha (Chapter 25, Pasuk 38), Ani Hashem Elokeichem Asher Hotzeisi Eschem M'Eretz Mitzrayim Lases Lachem es Eretz Canaan Lihyos Lachem L'Elokim. Rashi teaches on this pasuk, Shekol Hadar B'Eretz Yisrael Ani Lo L'Elokim. I am Gd to all who live in Eretz Yisrael. Just as Hashem took Bnei Yisrael out of Mitzrayim, He took Eretz Canaan out from the hands of the nations and gave it to Am Yisrael. And just as He took Bnei Yisrael out of Mitzrayim to make us free men, Bnei Chorin, and serve Him properly, so too He took Eretz Yisrael out from the nations to give us a place to serve him.
Mitzrayim, as we explained, means narrow straits and expresses the notion of physical restriction. In parshat Shemos (Chapter 3, Pasuk 8), Hashem describes the land He will take Bnei Yisrael into as an Eretz Tovah U'Revachah; it is good and wide, reflecting its status as a Nachalah Bli Metzarim. It is the opposite of Mitzrayim, expressing the dichotomy between the physical and the spiritual. It is the place where free men can have a close relationship with Hashem and expand their boundaries without limit. And the selfless keeping of the laws of Shmittah and declaring Hashem the Ba'al Ha'Bayis of the land, guarantees us the right to remain on the land and continue developing our connection and relationship with Him.
Good Shabbos
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