Our sedra of Behar deals primarily with the twin mitzvot of Shemittah and Yovel - the special laws and mitzvot that apply every seventh and fiftieth year, respectively.


As we all know, these mitzvot apply only to those who live in Eretz Yisrael. This is made clear from the opening phrase of the parsha: "When you shall come to the land which I am giving you...." that is, Israel.


But wait a moment. Is it so clear? Why does Shemittah adhere only to the Land of Israel? Why don't all Jews practice Shemittah wherever they live, on whatever land they own? After all, there are other agricultural-type laws that apply equally to Israel and the Diaspora: We may not plow with two different types of animals, or muzzle an ox anywhere we farm, or graft certain plants together; we raise up a lulav and etrog anywhere we live, etc.


And as for this phrase, "When you come to the Land," well, that same phrase preceded the mitzvah of the Omer in last week's sedra. And while we no longer bring an Omer offering today (anywhere), we do observe the counting

While all land has life within it, Eretz Yisrael has something extra.

of the Omer - in Israel and Chutz L'Aretz.


I suggest, therefore, that Shemittah is sending a special message to us: the Land of Israel is not like any other land. For while all land has life within it, Eretz Yisrael has something extra - a neshama. It not only lives, it feels. When we are exiled from it, the land mourns - like a barren woman - and will not produce its fruit. When we come back to Israel, the Land rises up and rejoices - "the mountains dance like rams" - as we say in Hallel.


And when we observe Shemittah, the Land has compassion upon us and produces an extra-large harvest in the years preceding the seventh, taking special care to provide us with enough produce to last almost three years.


Five times in the five p'sukim that describe Shemittah the Torah mentions the word shabbat. The Torah is telling us that just as Man works six days and rests on the seventh, so the Land does its work for six years and then rests in the seventh.


Yet, it is telling us more than that. Shabbat adds a special and unique dimension to humanity. Daily life is about working, sustenance, conquering the Earth and mastering our environment. Shabbat is the neshama that invigorates our life and gives it purpose, meaning, redemption - and a glimpse of Olam Haba. That is why Shemittah applies only in Israel: the mitzvah of nourishing the soul of the land can only be done in the sole place where the soul of the Jew resides - Eretz Yisrael.