HOME | CONTACT US | DONATE LoginLOGIN Ask the RabbiASK THE RABBI
Chabad.org - Torah, Judaism and Jewish Info Shemitah
 
Chabad.org » Jewish Holidays » Special Years » Shemitah

We work six days, and the seventh day, Shabbat, is consecrated to G‑d, a day to spiritually refresh and reconnect with our Creator.

In a similar vein, every seventh year is holy; the Shemitah (Sabbatical) year is a year devoted to strengthening our bond with G‑d, and specifically to honing our faith in His omnipotence and our trust in His kindness.

This year, the year 5768 since creation (Sept. 13, 2007-Sept. 29, 2008), is a Shemitah year. The articles in the following sections will explain this year's special observances and laws, as well as expand on its spiritual message and practical relevance in the 21st century.

Wishing you an inspiring, uplifting and meaningful Shemitah year!


Shemitah 101
Shemitah 101
The Shemitah basics -- absolution of loans, desisting from all field work, and the spiritual objective of all the above.
Discuss 1 Comment
Loan Amnesty
Loan Amnesty
The laws of Shemitah's loan cancellation, as well as an explanation of the pruzbul, the rabbinic institution designed to circumvent the absolution of debt.
Discuss 1 Comment
Deserting the Farms
Deserting the Farms
A digest of the pertinent laws of shemitat karka, the agricultural restrictions of the Sabbatical (Shemitah) year.
Essays, Insights & StoriesShmitah Essays, Insights & Stories

4 Comments Posted  |  Post A Comment
Reader Comments
Latest Comments:
Posted: Oct 8, 2008
Market crash
Stock market crashed in this Shemitah year and had been vulnerable in previous Shemitah years. How should we interpret this phenomenon?
Posted By Anonymous

Posted: June 27, 2008
RE: Shemitah
Shemitah only applies in the biblical land of Israel. Since you live outside of Israel, you are exempt from these restrictions. You do however, need to excercise caution when purchasing fruit from Israel.
Posted By Menachem Posner for Chabad.org

Posted: June 26, 2008
shemitah
We are new to the ways of our fathers. I had heard of the shemitah but had thought that it began 5769.

In our ignorance we had begun a garden, what do we do?

Does this mean that we are not to even harvest or pick any wild fruit, fruit trees and corn when in season?

I had picked some wild blackberries recently and the consequencies have become evident. Since reading this I understand that it is the Shemitah. Oy vey!

So, no gardening or harvesting of any kind? wild or domestic?
Posted By Anonymous, Williamsburg, VA, USA



 


Special Years
Expand Birkat Hachamah
Birkat Hachamah
Expand Hakhel
Hakhel
Expand Shemitah
Shemitah