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5760
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There was once a young Chassid in Russia called Boruch Zalmanovitch who received a draft notice into the Russian army. When his mother saw it, she began crying, and his father burst into tears as well. |
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5763
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This week's section begins with the agricultural commandment of Shmita; not working the land or harvesting its produce on the seventh year (in Israel).
This commandment, besides being practical (as it gives the land a chance to replenish), also evokes G-d's blessing; (25:19) |
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5765
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This week's section begins with the law of Shmita and is followed by the law of Yovel.
Shmita means that every seventh year is holy, the land is given a rest and all farming ceases. Yovel means that every fiftieth year (after seven Shmitas) is even more holy; all slaves are released, all land returns to its original owners all farming again ceases and more. |
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5768
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This week's Torah portion contains 14 commandments and one of them is the prohibition of taking (or giving) interest on a loan. (25:36,37)
In fact this sin is so severe that the Torah follows it with the words; "I am G-d that took you from Egypt to be your G-d" to tell you that anyone who takes interest denies that G-d took the Jews from Egypt! |
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