Moshe (Moses) begged G-d to allow him to enter Eretz Yisroel not because he was seeking its physical gifts, but because a very large percentage of the Torah's commandments can only be observed in Eretz Yisroel (Compendium of Midrashim, "Moshe", 30). Now that G-d, in His infinite mercy, has returned a large part of the Jewish People to the Land, we should demonstrate our worthiness of His compassion by adhering to the commandments connected to the sanctity of the Land.
It is a great privilege to farm the sanctified land of Eretz Yisroel, and to observe the commandments associated with the Land. Not only the farmers, but the consumers of Israeli produce, too, demonstrate their connection to the Land and to G-d by meticulously adhering to the special commandments related to Eretz Yisroel. Jews who live in the Galut (Diaspora) should consider it a great privilege to buy Israeli produce that was sanctified by the observance of all pertinent commandments. Not only will they connect to G-d, His Torah and His Land, but they will support the G-d-fearing farmers who meticulously observe these commandments. Doing so will also support the Israeli economy, which is so important at this time.
By purchasing produce grown in accordance with all the laws of the Torah, we can become partners in the observance of the mitzvot (commandments) with the Israeli farmers. I recommend that each family decide upon a certain additional percentage that they can afford for the privilege of buying "mitzvah produce". In Jewish law, it is said that a person should spend 1/3 extra to do a mitzvah in a beautiful way. Perhaps this should also serve as a guideline for buying "mitzvah produce". By spending as much as 1/3 extra to buy "mitzvah produce", we will beautify our relationship with the Land, as well as support the idealistic farmers who observe the mitzvot.
We should single out the idealistic farmers of Gush Katif, who have perfected techniques for growing insect-free produce. May G-d answer our prayers and rescind all the harsh decrees against them, and all Israel.
I think that it would be an excellent idea to arrange tours of farms that observe the mitzvot. This would teach people how to put the commandments of the Torah into practice and it would give the idealistic farmers the recognition that they deserve. People who experience the mitzvot in practice will develop a much greater appreciation for the sanctity of the Land. Such tours would be a boon to Torah-based Zionism.
Of all the mitzvot connected to the Land, the observance of Shemittah (the Sabbatical year, during which most farm work is prohibited in the Land of Israel) is a great challenge for a farmer. Some rabbis rely on a lenient arrangement, whereby produce can be grown without transgressing the commandments. Other rabbis disagree and do not permit this arrangement. However, even those who adopt the lenient opinion agree that it is preferable not to farm the Land during the Sabbatical year. We read in Leviticus 22 that our possession of the Land is connected to our observance of the Shemittah. We should all do whatever is in our power to financially support those farmers who demonstrate their love of G-d, His Torah and His Land by meticulous observance of the Shemittah.
There are various opinions amongst observant Jews as to how we should implement some of the special "Laws of the Land". Certainly, each person needs the guidance of his own rabbis and teachers. However, I learned an important lesson from my rebbi (teacher), who was one of the leading Lithuanian sages. During my years in yeshiva, one of my study partners made aliyah with his family. Our rebbi instructed my friend to follow his family's practice of reliance on the leniencies of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, even though this was certainly not in accordance with our rebbi's own practices. Our rebbi taught us that the mitzvot (commandments) of the Torah must be observed in a pleasant manner. Pursuing a stricter form of observance is commendable, but not if it destroys shalom bayit (the home atmosphere).
May we all strengthen our resolve to practice Ahavat Yisroel and our observance of mitzvot, and thereby merit to observe the Torah in its entirety, including the commandments that will be fulfilled in the rebuilt Beit HaMikdash (Temple) in Yerushalayim.
It is a great privilege to farm the sanctified land of Eretz Yisroel, and to observe the commandments associated with the Land. Not only the farmers, but the consumers of Israeli produce, too, demonstrate their connection to the Land and to G-d by meticulously adhering to the special commandments related to Eretz Yisroel. Jews who live in the Galut (Diaspora) should consider it a great privilege to buy Israeli produce that was sanctified by the observance of all pertinent commandments. Not only will they connect to G-d, His Torah and His Land, but they will support the G-d-fearing farmers who meticulously observe these commandments. Doing so will also support the Israeli economy, which is so important at this time.
By purchasing produce grown in accordance with all the laws of the Torah, we can become partners in the observance of the mitzvot (commandments) with the Israeli farmers. I recommend that each family decide upon a certain additional percentage that they can afford for the privilege of buying "mitzvah produce". In Jewish law, it is said that a person should spend 1/3 extra to do a mitzvah in a beautiful way. Perhaps this should also serve as a guideline for buying "mitzvah produce". By spending as much as 1/3 extra to buy "mitzvah produce", we will beautify our relationship with the Land, as well as support the idealistic farmers who observe the mitzvot.
We should single out the idealistic farmers of Gush Katif, who have perfected techniques for growing insect-free produce. May G-d answer our prayers and rescind all the harsh decrees against them, and all Israel.
I think that it would be an excellent idea to arrange tours of farms that observe the mitzvot. This would teach people how to put the commandments of the Torah into practice and it would give the idealistic farmers the recognition that they deserve. People who experience the mitzvot in practice will develop a much greater appreciation for the sanctity of the Land. Such tours would be a boon to Torah-based Zionism.
Of all the mitzvot connected to the Land, the observance of Shemittah (the Sabbatical year, during which most farm work is prohibited in the Land of Israel) is a great challenge for a farmer. Some rabbis rely on a lenient arrangement, whereby produce can be grown without transgressing the commandments. Other rabbis disagree and do not permit this arrangement. However, even those who adopt the lenient opinion agree that it is preferable not to farm the Land during the Sabbatical year. We read in Leviticus 22 that our possession of the Land is connected to our observance of the Shemittah. We should all do whatever is in our power to financially support those farmers who demonstrate their love of G-d, His Torah and His Land by meticulous observance of the Shemittah.
There are various opinions amongst observant Jews as to how we should implement some of the special "Laws of the Land". Certainly, each person needs the guidance of his own rabbis and teachers. However, I learned an important lesson from my rebbi (teacher), who was one of the leading Lithuanian sages. During my years in yeshiva, one of my study partners made aliyah with his family. Our rebbi instructed my friend to follow his family's practice of reliance on the leniencies of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, even though this was certainly not in accordance with our rebbi's own practices. Our rebbi taught us that the mitzvot (commandments) of the Torah must be observed in a pleasant manner. Pursuing a stricter form of observance is commendable, but not if it destroys shalom bayit (the home atmosphere).
May we all strengthen our resolve to practice Ahavat Yisroel and our observance of mitzvot, and thereby merit to observe the Torah in its entirety, including the commandments that will be fulfilled in the rebuilt Beit HaMikdash (Temple) in Yerushalayim.