326. Sabbatical Salutations: The prohibition against working the land during the seventh year

You know how Shabbos and holidays have two labor-related mitzvos, one to rest and one not to work? Well, Shemittah, the Sabbatical year, is like Shabbos for the land of Israel. Way back in Mitzvah #112, we had the obligation to let the land rest during the seventh year; here, we have a prohibition against working the land.

The basis for this mitzvah is what we discussed in Mitzvah #84: during the Sabbatical year, we take a step back in order to recognize that God created the world and He’s ultimately the One Who causes the land to yield its harvest. We do not plant or reap in order to remind ourselves that we are not the ones who create the produce, He is.

This mitzvah applies to both men and women but only in Israel. It is the subject of the Mishnaic tractate of Sheviis and is codified in the Mishneh Torah in Hilchos Shemittah. This is #220 of the 365 negative mitzvos in the Rambam’s Sefer HaMitzvos and #22 of the 26 mitzvos that can only be performed in Israel according to the list of the Steipler Gaon.