Not Theodor Herzl, but rather Walt Disney. Looney Tunes - "Goofy and Shmita"

as for our Life, our History, our rich traditions and conceptions. otherwise who are we and why in Israel? You might be missing the whole point.

Does the "finance minister" Lapid agree?

Every good farmer knows the benefits of letting land lay fallow. Do not be duped into a religious-non religious war over this. Its blessings are many!!!!

look at how much its costing the tax payer.

this allows the land to regather its usefulness to allow nutrient rich plants to grow. Fruit is sweeter. Vegetables are more healthy to humans. Why else would shmita be Torah Law? However, this should be a function of economics, and those in the growing business must practice skilled economic forecasting, otherwise they are more likely to be growing food for foreign markets which is not a necessary economic service.

I happen to live in 21st century but it looks like my money is Jewish enough to fund stupidity

You mean the looney tunes who established that the Jewish Nation has some connection with the Jewish land. Jewish people - Jewish land - Judaism? Can you see the connection? And not Theodor Herzl who created an imperialist, expansionist ideology that might have been better off colonizing Uganda.

Religious rules mostly don't make any sense and rabbis don't understand agriculture. So, let's see articles based on agricultural expertise and have the real experts decide what is best for Israel.

A non - Jew immigrates to The Jewish Homeland and gripes about Jewish tradition as commanded by G-d. If you cannot abide by this Biblical lifestyle, then EX-pat yourself back to your "homeland."

Just as all things must rest, so too must the land. Farmers all around the world do this when they rotate crops and leave portions of land fallow for the year. You know what else costs taxpayers alot? The WEEKEND! Reduced productivity hurts our economy and forces more burden on taxpayers, so I ask you to lead by example. Refrain from taking weekend breaks. Work 7 days a week. Refuse to rest because its just not needed. The Israeli taxpayer will thank you.

especially in California, you should know better. Agricultural practices allow for land to remain fallow in addition to crop rotation. Over-use results in depletion of nutrients and resources, which force the use of fertilizers, resulting in run-off and disruption of the ecosystem. This has been a problem since the 1950s. This may be an inconvenience, having it happen all at once, but its necessary all the same. And it does make a difference in the quality of produce and the land itself.

I wager 3.14 warm bottles of root beer and a vintage troll-doll... that he approves! [Wait, am I on TV or is that just my trumpet grumbling?]

California's agriculture is as good as Israeli and there is no shmita here. My point was that a lot of expertise goes into managing agriculture. Most farmers in the world know how to do well without shmitot. I have been growing excellent vegetables in my garden using organic fertilizers for years and not needing a shmita.

I see comments saying farmers can go around this law by renting the land to goyim. But what is the purpose of this Jewish law to begin with? If it's to give the land a year of rest, then renting to goyim goes against the purpose.

All debt by Financial institutions ought be forgiven.The extra cost ought be from The Moguls in Israel and the Galus who ought follow the Melinda and Bill Gates Warren Buffet and Zuckenberg principle but remembering the Shoah for a strong Israel.

California gets by without Shmitta by having lots of droughts (~30 per century) forcing farmers to pull their almond and avocado trees out of the ground, use the aquifer, pushing the Sierra Nevada up 6mm and causing more earthquakes along the San Andreas Fault. Just read today's news paper! :)

but trust HaShem for the provision during the Shmita. Be aware the Shmita is coming and prepare. But know that it is HaShem who grows enough grain and produce so that His required Shmita can be observed. It is the 7th year and time to forgive debts. If you've loaned something to someone in your heart/mind and soul you must now freely give it over to them for good. Give to others as HaShem has freely given to you. Shalom!

Just study the yoga positions that the Muslims do, to pretend that "Islamic Banking" is ==not== a form of paying rent for the use of money over a period of time. A massive jurisprudence exists to pretend that money does not have a time value.

we are israel and israel was reedemed on the condition and whole existence is on one condition One G-d and Torah we are fighting every day for jewish state so please remain jewish ! G-d bless israel and jewish nation, there is no nation like this one... so holy!