Parshat Behar- Trust in G-d
by Rabbi Lobel

(Leviticus; Chapter 25, Verse 20) “If you will say in the seventh year what are we going to eat? Behold we will not sow and we will not gather our crop!” (Note: This verse was translated according to the Daas Zekeinim)

The Children of Israel were given a Mitzvah of Shemittat Karkaot – a Sabbatical of the Land. For six years, the Jewish Nation would tend to their fields in the land of Israel. On the seventh year, work would cease and the land would rest. The produce on the seventh year was free to all and would only be gathered as needed.

Nachmandies (25:20) explains that Israel “might” be afraid that on the eighth year they would have nothing to eat; Israel did not sow or plant their fields on the seventh year. Nachmandies interprets this understanding from the wording of the above verse “If you will say...” Some people may be afraid and ask the question – How will we survive?

The Torah does answer the question, “I (G-d) will ordain my blessing and you will have sufficient crop for three years (25:21).”

If G-d guarantees sufficient food in the sixth year to last three years, why would people still be afraid? Because that’s human nature. Even when we know and trust G-d’s guarantees, we can still fear the future.