AUGUST 5 • 2021 | 39 I n the Land of Israel now, there is a feeling of purpose- ful and reverent determi- nation. From the Galil to the Negev, farmers are preparing to observe shemitah, the Biblical command outlined in this week’s Torah portion not to work the field in the seventh year. It’s not for nothing that farming is referred to as husbandry, as tending to the land is a consummate, lifelong mission, paralleling the way we continuously work on our relation- ships at home. Every seventh year, the Jewish farmer relaxes, con- fident that his field (and his bottom line) will be OK without his efforts. Why? Because God assures us that there is nothing to worry about. He will send enough blessings in the years preceding shemitah to tide us over until we can again enjoy the bounty from our farms. So, we know that the farm- ers don’t work the land in the seventh year. But what do they do? Our sages tell us that this year and the free time it affords are to be allo- cated toward Torah learn- ing and increased spiritual involvement. We can each take the lessons of shemi- tah and the example of our farming brethren in the Holy Land and apply them to our own lives. We can live with a faith so real that we are prepared to lose an entire year’s revenue without compunction. And we can use every free minute to serve God, recognizing that every moment is a gift that we dare not squan- der. Our dear mentor and teacher, the Rebbe, of righteous memory, pointed out an anomaly in the text in which we are introduced to shemitah: “The earth shall rest a Sabbath unto God. Six years shalt thou plant thy field.” Now, the six years take place before the seventh year of rest, so why does the Torah mention them afterward? The answer, the Rebbe explains, is that in essence shemitah comes first, and it influences and uplifts all the six years that come before it. From year one, the farmer is preparing for shemitah, excited to be able to rely on God and His kindness for an entire year. Thus, the entire cycle is elevated and made holy. We can apply this to our lives as well. There are the shemitah moments like Shabbat (which comes after six days of work), when we attend synagogue or a Torah class, or otherwise con- nect with our souls. The lesson is to make the mundane spiritual, injecting holiness and godliness unto every aspect of our lives. Consider packing Shabbat essentials to celebrate wherever you may be when the sun sets on Friday. Or start each morn- ing with a moment of gratitude, Modeh Ani. Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov is spiritual direc- tor of The Shul in West Bloomfield. A Plan to Boost Our Spirituality Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov Parshat Reeh: Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17; I Samuel 20:18-42. SPIRIT TORAH PORTION SERVING THE JEWISH COMMUNITY FOR OVER 30 YEARS! NOAH BISHOP COHEN The Next Generation of “SOLD” ns.cohen26@gmail.com MELANIE BISHOP “SOLD” is my middle name melaniesold@aol.com 4130 Telegraph Rd. Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302 MelanieSold.com 248.867.7800 OVER $63 MILLION SOLD IN 2020! BLOOMFIELD HILLS SCHOOLS Splendid tudor with 4 bed, 4.2 baths, 4213 sq. ft. plus f n. lower level. Dramatic entry, premium Millenium kitchen, 1st f oor master suite. Sparkling pool, outdoor kitchen, outdoor heaters surrounded by landscaped and wooded yard. $839,900 PRIVATE BACKYARD PARADISE FARMINGTON HILLS Open f oor plan with 2842 sq. ft, 4.2 baths plus f nished walk-out. Hardwood f oors, 2 bedrooms on main f oor and 3 bedroom suites in f nished walk-out. Located in cul-de-sac with 3 car garage. Newer roof and interior paint. $650,000 CONTEMPORARY RANCH • Over $63 million SOLD in 2020! • We live & work in your area. • 2 top agents for the price of one! • Call now for a free market analysis. • It’s the right time to sell! • Crain’s Top 100 Real Estate Agents in Michigan • Ranked in the Top 1/2 of 1% of Realtors Nationwide • Real Trends 500 America’s Best Real Estate Agents • Hour Detroit Real Estate All Stars • Recognized by The Wall Street Journal as Leading Top Producers Your Area Residents & Experts. WE SELL MORE! TWO GENERATIONS OF SOLD The Next Generation Of “SOLD” ns.cohen26@gmail.com NOAH BISHOP-COHEN MELANIE BISHOP “SOLD” is my middle name melaniesold@aol.com 248.867.7800 MELANIESOLD.COM MAX BROOCK 4130 Telegraph Rd., Bloomfield Hills MI 48302 LAKES AND BLOOMFIELD SPECIALISTS MAX BROOCK BLOOMFIELD HILLS #1 AGENTS NEWER BUILT BRICK RANCH END UNIT W ABEEK TOWNHOME BLOOMFIELD HILLS SCHOOLS Mid century style with 5 bed, 3.1 baths, 2750 sq. ft. plus f nished lower level. Elevated golf course views, extensive renovations including gorgeous kitchen. Large windows, hardwood f oors, airy f oor plan. $435,000 WEST BLOOMFIELD Custom built with 2625 sq. ft, 3 bed, 2.1 baths. On an acre with privacy and nature views. Spacious rooms, ultimate kitchen / family room combo with granite, stainless, Sub Zero. Master bath with jetted tub and separate shower. $489,900