13 Adar II, 5774 (3/15/14) – Sukkah#40 {Tani}

R’ Yosi bar Chaninah [40b middle]: One must be very careful with the “dust” of shemittah (not to work land to produce during the  7th year) as much as the produce itself.  If not, one will end up having to sell his/her possessions due to poverty.

T’s lesson: Why must we let land “rest” and do such a seemingly weird mitzvah? Does the land really have feelings and need to rest after it is worked so hard? Every aspect of this world needs to be treated with respect. Our land has given us produce and food and we must be respectful to it. By allowing it to “rest” from its daily work, we learn to appreciate what it has given us. In the Torah, Moshe had to respect (and not hit) the land and water, both of which protected him from past troubles. In our Gemarah as well, we learn that even small details involved in this world need our care, concern, and respect. Develop an “attitude of gratitude.”