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With the ushering in of the year 5768 Israel found itself within a Shmita year. Biblical stipulations demand every seven years the land of Israel not be toiled, produce not to be sold, fields left open for the poor to eat from, and all debts rendered within the seven year cycle be reneged. Such conditions lead most to believe the primary purpose of Shmita was to function as a relief to the poor.
Various amendments throughout the years have been made in order to maintain social order during a year of shmita. In the first century, for example, in response to a break-down in the financial money lending system, Rabbi Hillel ruled debts the shmita stipulation regarded the cancellation of debts only applied to those debts accumulated between Jews. Additionally, as apposed to pardoned, the debt would instead be transferred to the Beit Din for the duration of the sabbatical year.
In the 19th century Rabbi Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor ruled the command only applied to land owned by Jews, a verdict that began the practice of symbolically selling Jewish land to dependable non-Jews who would in turn resell the land to the Jewish owner at the end of the year.
Today, the chief Rabbinate of Israel recognizes Rabbi Spektor's ruling but has granted local community rabbi's the autonomy to make their own decisions. This has led to many divisions across the country within various communities, some choosing to abide by the ruling while others forbidding the sale of any produce grown within Israel regardless of land ownership.
Poverty organizations warn such actions could cause a steep rise in the price of produce, making it harder for the poor to afford food. According to Latet, Israel's leading organization for the needy, there are over 1million Israelis living under the poverty line.
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