Why does the Torah begin the Parshah of Sh'mitah with "Ki Savo'u el ha'Aretz"?
Sifra: It implies that Sh'mitah will only take effect when Yisrael come to Eretz Yisrael proper ? to preclude Eiver ha'Yarden.
Why does the Torah add the phrase "Asher Ani Nosein lachem"?
What is the meaning of "Veshavsah ha'Aretz"?
Seeing as "Veshavsah ha'Aretz" implies anywhere in the land ? even inside a house, whereas "Sadcha Lo Sizmor" implies specificaly in the field (See Torah Temimah, citing Yerushalmi Orlah, 1:2), what is the Din regarding a tree that is planted inside a house - with regard to the Dinim of Shemitah?
The Yerushalmi in Orlah, 1:2 leaves this She'eilah unresolved. 1
Yerushalmi, Ibid.: It is however, subject to Orlah and Patur from Ma'asros. See Torah Temimah, note 3.
What is the significance of the words "Shabbos la'Hashem"?
Rashi: It teaches us that in Sh'mitah, like on Shabbos, 1 one desists from the forbidden Melachos for the sake of Hashem 2 (and not because it is good for the land). 3
Ramban: The Torah writes "Shabbos la'Hashem" in connection with Shabbos Bereishis, because Hashem (Kevayachol), rested on it, which is why we may do no Melachah on it. And it uses the same expression regarding the Sh'mitah because it is the seventh year (the Shabbos) of the cycle of years.
Seforno: It implies that, since one is not occupied with tilling the land, one should spend the year in the service of Hashem 4 to a certain degree - even the farmers, who are not on such a high spiritual level. 5
Moshav Zekenim (citing the Ramban): Sh'mitah is testimony that the world was created for six thousand years, and the seventh millennia will be Shabbos and eternal rest. Consequently, denying Sh'mitah is akin to denying the Creation and the world to come, like it says about Shabbos. 6
Yerushalmi, Pe'ah, 7:7: It teaches us that if someone plants a vineyard for Hekdesh, it is subject to the Dinim of Shevi'is. 7
Rashi: Where the Torah uses the same expression (in Yisro, Sh'mos, 20:10). See Ramban's objection to this explanation.
See also Oznayim la'Torah DH 'Shabbas la'Hashem".
Moshav Zekenim: Since resting the land improves the quality of the harvest in the ensuing years, as the Torah testifies in Bereishis, 2:2.
Seforno: Just as one is supposed to do on Shabbos, where the Torah uses the same expression (in Yisro, Sh'mos 20:10).
See Seforno on Pasuk 4.
And this explains why the Torah is so stringent concerning Sh'mitah ? to the point that not observing it, results in exile.
See also Torah Temimah, note 5.
