To rest the land during the seventh year by not doing any work which enhances growth

Faith – אֱמוּנָה

• Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 84) explains that Shemitah instills trust in Hashem’s providence. By refraining from work, we declare that livelihood does not depend on constant human effort but on Hashem’s blessing.

Holiness – קְדֻשָּׁה

• Rambam (Hilchot Shemitah V’Yovel 1:1) teaches that Shemitah sanctifies the land itself. Just as Shabbat sanctifies time, Shemitah sanctifies the seventh year, elevating the ordinary cycle of agriculture into holiness.

Agriculture – חַקְלָאוּת

• Talmud (Sanhedrin 39a) states that the land itself “rests” in Shemitah. This mitzvah highlights the connection between agricultural rhythms and Divine law, rooting farming in spiritual discipline.

Eretz Yisrael – אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל

• Shemitah applies only in the Land of Israel (Kiddushin 37a). The mitzvah reveals the land’s unique sanctity, reminding us that Eretz Yisrael belongs ultimately to Hashem.

Shemitah – שְׁמִטָּה

• Rambam (Hilchot Shemitah V’Yovel 1:1) identifies Shemitah as the Torah’s agricultural Shabbat. It is the core framework here: a cycle of seven years mirroring the weekly cycle, bringing holiness to the land itself.

Charity – צְדָקָה

• Rashi (Exodus 23:11) comments that Shemitah allows the poor to eat freely from the fields. The mitzvah ensures economic fairness, redistributing resources every seven years.

Compassion – רַחֲמִים

• Ramban (Vayikra 25:2) emphasizes that Shemitah’s hefker produce is shared not only with people but also with animals, reflecting the Torah’s compassion for all creatures.

Justice – צֶדֶק

• The mitzvah resets social and economic imbalances by removing private ownership of produce for a year. It establishes fairness and justice in society through Divine command.

Community – קְהִלָּה

• Shemitah creates a sense of unity, as everyone — rich and poor — takes equally from the land. The mitzvah transforms agriculture into a communal experience of equality.

Reverence – יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם

• By refraining from cultivation even when it seems irrational, we demonstrate reverence and awe for Hashem’s authority over His land. (Rambam, Shemitah V’Yovel 1:9).

Bein Adam L’Makom – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם

• Shemitah is an act of submission to Hashem’s sovereignty. Letting the land lie fallow shows loyalty to His command, even at economic risk.

Bein Adam L’Chavero – בֵּין אָדָם לַחֲבֵרוֹ

• The mitzvah fosters social responsibility and equity. By opening fields to others, it refines character and ensures compassion in human relationships.