How can we sell the land of Israel to the goyim??? That's what heter mechira is. May the merit of keeping shmittah properly, give us peace within our borders.

Jewish farmers in the Land of Israel must observe the Laws of Shmitta. What's so difficult to understand about that?

being maykil bimkom hefsed mamon?

With today's advancements in agriculture, of which Israel is the premier leader, there is no need for schmita since the land can continue to be be safely and productively cultivated. This is the 21st century CE not the 21st century BCE. Time the Rabbi to joined the modern world. Besides, this Rabbi has a veted interest in the rulling as he probably invested a great deal of his money in the exporters business and stands to greatly profit. Typical hypocracy.

How dumb can these farmers and merchents be? The Torah tells us the merits of keeping Shmita. All Jewish owned land must rest this year. Any farmers that don't follow Torah laws will go under. For the sake of Eretz Yisrael to stay Jewish, we must keep the Torah.

You are ruining people's livelihoods in a country in which poverty is ALREADY at 20%. What's so difficult to understand about that? What a cruel and evil decision by these Rabbis. May they get what they deserve.

If you don't like the Rabbi's ruling, find a Reform "Rabbi" who will rule as you wish. Then, it will be up to the customers to decide if they wish to accept the validity of that kashruth certification. You can't have it both ways--a reliable kashruth certification, but you make the rules as you wish!

why are we all worried about hotels keeping shmitah and kosher. How come they get to discriminate against gay and lesbian employees, and no one dares take them to court!

Farmers who dont keep Shemita are ruining their livlyhood on this world and on the next. YNET's heading belongs in Germany not in our Jewish land which was given to us by G-D to serve him. Shame on you!

Not for those rabbis , they will only fill their pockets , so no problem for them . And what for the already poor people , who can't afford today , before the shmitta year begins , to buy enough food for their children ?

I thought selling the land to a non-Jew was a symbolic transaction, i.e., NIS 10 for a dunam, "and I'll buy it back next year"? Am I wrong here? Symbolically sell the land with this contract, and have legislation passed stating that crops must be sold at the same price as in a non-Shmita year. Why do people always have to make the easy so difficult???

Simple answer Religious Zionist Rabbis need to create their own Kashrut certification and be willing to give it to establishments that are strictly kosher but hold by the heter mechira. Then consumers can decide if they accept this certification. In the US we have higher standards of kashrut than Israel enforced by the free market not by the government. Get the state Rabbinate out of kashrut except for the military and government institutions.

I see a dramatic increase in the poverty level ,more restaurants and smaller hotels going out of business due to this rabbi's decision! Bankruptcies in this country will rise as will the poverty level and people needing assistance for food for all the holidays! This is a thoughless decision which will harm the farmers! And of course the public who want to buy fresh produce but can't afford the higher prices for imported fruits and vegs.

Land given by god ? No , the 6000 mostly seculars and anti religious who gave their life for this country , they gave us our land back

By selling the land to a non Jew , and then produce something on it, is against the spirit of the Shmitta . But only the charidi rabbis [ ? ] oppose the sale , they are interested in "pure" religion [ and to make much money with this ] But by this they reject more and more Jews from religion .

The High Court set policy and dictates where the schools should be reinforced and where the security barriers should be and how they are run. However when a Rabbinical legal authority makes a decision it is immediately suspect since '"what do rabbis know anyway"". How many double standards can we tolerate?

Reuven you aren't a farmer I imagine. There aren't too many farms in Ranana. The problem is people like the Rabbi and you wanting to be frum at other people's expense. You say that Jewish farmers have to observe shmitta. That is very simple, for someone who is not a farmer, to say. These people and other want to use the heter michira - that is their right. It is a real heter, with the backing of Gedolai Yisrael. No one needs the rabbinate to come along and tell them to observe mitzvot in the way that they want.

Any other money they earn or receive as donations to be turned over to the farmers,restaurants and fruit and vegetable dealers. No importing of fruits and vegetables or buying from arabs for the whole year.

"...Besides, this Rabbi has a veted interest in the rulling as he probably invested a great deal of his money in the exporters business and stands to greatly profit." Of course. Make up a story and then attack the rabbi based on this 'fact'. REAL intellegent. "Not for those rabbis , they will only fill their pockets , so no problem for them . " Also another great example of making up a story (unless you have hidden proof that nobody knows about). You have proven in the past your complete lack of knowledge on Judaism and Shmittah. Here's a small FACT: The rabbis make ZERO money on this... except in your mind.

is going to be harmful to the welfare of our farmers and many businesses!!

If he gives you the kosher certificate then he is the boss, if you don’t like it go fly a jet into the sea!

"Keeping this in its strictest form is going to be harmful to the welfare of our farmers and many businesses!! " Yet, it's never hurt us in the past, and that's with more and more farmers every Shmittah cycle keeping it in it's strictest form.... Between all these made up stories on what the rabbis are 'really up to' and all the doom and gloom predictions that have no historic basis, it amazes me that people can open their mouths so freely.

why must you make every topic into a gay/lesbo issue???

Flying a jet into the sea is your solution to the farmers who are going to suffer because of this ruling? I guess it's very easy when you're living in New York where we don't have to deal with this sort of suffocating religious coercion.

And all their work , are they doing it "pro deo" , for no money ? Are'nt you this person who told us that prices will fall ? Try to read my explanations on Shmitta before you say that i know anything about it

i would not tell you to fly into the sea , there is already enough pollution . But you , in your galut , you have no problems . Here there are poor people , very much very observant charidim , who today are living in poverty . How shall they buy fruits and vegetables for their family with prices twice of those of today ? Think also about it

What's the problem, you ask ? The problem Brauner, is you and those who think like you. The difference between you and I is exactly 3000 years. Let me tell you a secret. An entity in nature, and that includes Jews, that does not adapt itself to its changing surroundings will eventually become extinct. This law is axiomatic, so there is no possibilty of "God given protection or exemption". The law of Shmita was very prudent in biblical times, very necessary, today there are alternatives. These alternatives are natural, "God given", if you like. I am a fifth generation farmer in our land. It is totally unnecessary, anti social and will only bring hardship, not only on farmers and industrialists, but also increase the plight of the already poverty stricken folks.

1. The prices won't be any higher than they are now - 8.90 for a kg of apples today is crazy. 2. The Rabbis are not doing this for money, and the opposite do not make anything from the importers, etc. 3. Before Sagi starts complaining about poverty, check with farmers who do keep shmittah. There are endless stories of open miracles. 4. Concerned Jews around the world have established a fund to support the farmers - Keren shmittah - every single person I know in my neighborhood has contributed what they can to it, and many wealthy overseas donors have lent their generous support

Thank you for your contribution which I find to be profoundly intelligent and exuding enlightenment.