Requesting Limitations on Shemitta Stringency – #305
Date and Place: 5 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Recipient and Background: Rav Yaakov David Wilovsky (Ridbaz), a leading rabbi who moved to Eretz Yisrael and was known, among other things, as a strong opponent of leniencies on Shemitta.
Body: I find it necessary to seek out my dear, illustrious colleague, when I heard that there are now those who cast aspersions on the produce of the vineyards and fields of the moshavim that have been sold to a non-Jew due to the restrictions of “the sanctity of Shemitta produce.” This will take away the meager livelihood of the members of the moshavim. Many of them are destitute, and they are looking toward the price they will get for the fruit to sustain them and the children who depend on them.
Regarding [the halachic status of] the fruit, there are not really halachic grounds to cast aspersions. Even according to the Mabit’s opinion, which is stringent regarding the sanctity of the fruit of a non-Jew during Shemitta, it is permitted to use them commercially, and the money spent to acquire them does not have sanctity of Shemitta (see Shut Maharit (the Mabit’s son) 43).
In the sale of the land, we have included renting it and including in the price non-Shemitta things, so that if there are questions about the sale because of the law of the land, then rental will work regarding the fruit even if it does not work for allowing working the land. Since in previous Shemitta years, in the lives of the great Rav Y.L. Diskin, Rav S. Salant, and my father-in-law, there were no new stringencies, it is improper to make new ones now and impoverish families of our brethren, which would raise great fears of major problems.
Therefore, I request of my beloved friend to please inform the members of the rabbinical court to not do anything new, and allow the people to rely on the halachic opinions upon which they relied in the past. This would promote the mitzva of increasing peace in Israel and preventing enmity and other things that we can’t even know in advance. I will rely on our warm relationship that you will act to do the right thing with full power, and Hashem will be with you to bring you success, along with the blessing of the multitude.
