A couple came to me for advice. They were both interested in the relationship and had affection for each other. But, they were misaligned. He liked to connect on weekends, but she was spent by the weekend and wanted private time. She was eager to spend time together on weeknights and he was exhausted and just wanted to collapse on the couch.
Their frustration grew. Not because they didn’t like each other – but because they couldn’t synchronize their schedules and priorities.
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In this week’s double parsha Behar-Bechukotai, we learn about the laws of the Sabbatical year, Shemittah. In Israel, every seventh year, all work on the land is prohibited, and the produce becomes free for the taking.
It’s a year-long agricultural Shabbat. Just as we rest every seventh day, we must rest the land every seventh year.
Now, field rotation is actually a popular endeavor among farmers. It allows a field’s soil to rejuvenate. But, no farmer wants to let all his fields lay barren. That’s why they rotate the fields.
Makes sense, doesn’t it?
So, why does the Torah demand that all fields in Israel be fallow for an entire year? If the point is to rejuvenate the land, or to meditate on G-d, why not stagger the process? Wouldn’t that benefit everyone?
Similarly, why do we all need to rest on Shabbat? If the point is to devote a day to holiness, family, and prayer – can’t we take turns?
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Imagine you are on an international flight heading home. The plane has an issue and an emergency landing is made. You are over the Pacific Ocean and the nearest airport is in Fiji. You land in a remote, idyllic island. You are informed of the bad news: the plane cannot be repaired here, and it will take 5 days for the airline to send over a new plane. But, the good news is that the airline is taking full responsibility and putting you and your spouse up in a 5-star hotel for free – all expenses paid.
Now, you had planned to do other things this week. Luckily, your boss is okay with your delay and others are taking care of everything on the home front. You are in a world-class resort. Should you be anxious that you are not home, or should you enjoy the amenities and beautiful nature around you?
Obviously, you can’t control everything. But, if you are here, this is the place to enjoy yourself. Being depressed would be silly! Celebrate your good fortune and seize this unbelievable opportunity!
In other words, there’s a time and place for everything. You need to be in sync with your environment.
And, you need to be in sync with time.
We don’t celebrate Shabbat simply because it’s important to rest once a week. We rest because the energy of Shabbat is different than the energy of Tuesday. And, we need to be in sync with that energy.
It might seem more profitable to rotate the fields. In truth, however, the land needs us to be in sync with it. Because it’s the seventh year.
We need to stop working the land on the Sabbatical year. Other years won’t accomplish the same thing.
The Kabbalists teach us that everything exists on three planes of reality – time, space, and soul (or consciousness).
Through Shabbat – we synchronize ourselves to time. Via sacred spaces such as Shul and the Land of Israel – we synchronize ourselves to space.
And, when we invest in our relationships – with G-d and with others – we synchronize ourselves to our very soul, our essence itself.
Whether it’s relationships, time, or space – being aware of the deeper reality is the path to true growth, joy, and accomplishment.