INTERFAITH WISDOM

The Shmita is the sabbath year or seventh year according to Jewish tradition.  It is mentioned in many of the books of the Bible.  The instruction was that fields for growing crops should be left fallow every seventh year.  This was intended to regenerate the land.  The laws that accompanied it were that fruit that grew wild during the Shmita could be picked and eaten by anyone.  Also, anything that was left in the fields was left there for the poor and the animals to eat.

My sense is that it is a good practice...good for the soil...not good for the farmer.  Could we feed the world while doing this?  Not without faith.

The Jewish calendar is different from the Gregorian which is most widely used.  It puts the year spanning between 2007 and 2008 as the last Shmita year.  How strictly to observe the Shmita causes some conflicts between Orthodox, Reform and Conservative sects.

The traditional Jewish blessing after a meal.  "V'achalta, V'Savata, u'Verachata"  Translation:  "You shall eat, you shall be satisfied, and you shall bless God."

Here are lyrics to a song by Adamah Fellows written for the Shmita.

We ate when we were hungry 
And now we're satisfied.
We thank the Source of Blessing
For all that S/he provides.

Hunger is a yearning
in body and soul.
Earth Air Fire Water
and Spirit makes us whole.

Giving and receiving 
we open up our hands.
From Seedtime through Harvest
We're partners with the land.

We all share a vision
of wholeness and release
Where every child is nourished
And we all live in peace.
💚