Shemitta Peaches Saved from Hail

Remember the storm on the seventh day of Passover, when heavy rain fell along with hail? Many farmers suffered severe damage as a result of the storm. An amazing testimony that reached the Bnei Brak Shemitta Committee, headed by Rabbi Landau, tells how the peach orchards in the settlement of Nili that properly observed Shemitta were not damaged by the hail, while plum orchards and vineyards just 200 meters away suffered heavy damage.

The story, published exclusively in the 'HaModia' newspaper, was heard by the agronomist of the Bnei Brak Shemitta Committee when he came to visit the settlement of Nili in the southwest Samaria, where Lior Dahan's peach orchards are located. In these orchards, Shemitta is properly observed and the produce is marketed only through the 'Otzar Beit Din' of the Bnei Brak Shemitta Committee.

The agronomist travels occasionally for surprise field inspections to ensure that Shemitta is indeed being properly observed by farmers who have signed the 'Otzar Beit Din' arrangement. When he arrived at Moshav Nili after Passover, the residents greeted him with special excitement. They took him to overlook vineyards and plum orchards in the nearby settlement of Givat Ada: these fruits suffered a severe blow from hail, and this year's produce was destroyed. In contrast, the residents pointed to the Shemitta-observant peach orchards: the fruits looked whole and beautiful, without any damage. The Bnei Brak Shemitta Committee noted that one could tangibly see how the promise of "I will command My blessing" for Shemitta observers was fulfilled in the peach orchards.