Toward the Shemitah Year: A Kollel for Farmer-Scholars

The seventh year approaches, and extensive preparations are evident. These days, preparations are underway to open a network of "kollels" for farmers from the northern region who, as is known, rest from work. During the seventh year, these farmer-scholars will engage in studying the laws pertaining to the Land of Israel.

Rabbi Moshe Shmuel Oirechman – one of the Chabad rabbis in the north, initiated the establishment of the network, and for this purpose visited the homes of Torah sages and requested their support – which was received without hesitation. "The purpose of the Shemitah year is for people of the land to be able to free themselves from all their occupations and dedicate their time to Torah study," the sages said.

During a visit to the Rishon LeZion (Chief Rabbi), Rabbi Oirechman asked him to use his influence among all community rabbis to open as many "kollels" as possible for land workers, to increase and glorify Torah study.

And throughout the city of Bnei Brak, Shemitah bins have been installed under the mayor's direction. Following guidelines to find a convenient arrangement that would comply with halacha for the disposal of fruit remnants that cannot be thrown away with regular waste because they have Shemitah sanctity, it was decided to distribute special bins at 100 locations throughout the city. The fruits will be disposed of in these bins until they rot, and a special truck will collect them. Additional preparation for the Shemitah year took place in the courtyards of educational institutions in the city, where students were given practical knowledge and halacha while pruning trees and performing routine maintenance.