30 August 2024
Week of 25 to 31 August 2024
Torah portion: Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17 Haftarah: Isaiah 54:11-55:5
Theme: open hearts and hands
Deuteronomy 15:1-11 contains laws and ethical exhortations concerning the remission of debt (sh’mitah) that is to take place every seventh year. Sh’mitah means “dropping, release” and, in this context, refers to relinquishing debt (Tigay, 145). Deut. 15:2 makes this abundantly clear, stating that creditors should not only remit all debt held against their reaʿ (“neighbour” NRSV, “fellow Israelite” Revised JPS) but they should also not exact it from them because “the Release of Adonai has been proclaimed!” (Fox, 920) These laws do not apply to foreigners (Deut 15:3) or all types of debt. “According to the halakhah, [sh’mitah] does not cancel unpaid wages, bills owed to shopkeepers for merchandise, and certain types of secured loans.” The mitzvoth of sh’mitah is primarily intended to assist people living under the burden of poverty (Tigay, 145).
The mitzvoth of sh’mitah described here is also related to the mitzvoth to let the land lie fallow every seventh year (Ex 23:10-11 & Lev 25:2-7). In Exodus, both those in need and animals can eat from what is left (23:4). Neither people in need nor animals have any capacity to own land but should be able to receive sustenance from it. Ibn Ezra, who links the injunction in Ex 23:4 to the one in Deut. 15:2, says that just as creditors should remit what is owed them, so too must people allow the land to lie fallow as if it is not their own (Carasik, paragraph 3832). It is the Eternal to whom the land belongs, not human beings.
The Israelites are then reminded that people’s flourishing is linked to this mitzvoth’s fulfilment. Not only will there be no one in need among them, but all will enjoy well-being and good fortune (Deut. 15:4-6). This idyllic vision is in contrast to a world where people affected by poverty need to borrow money to meet their most basic needs. Therefore, the Israelites are reminded not to harden their hearts or shut their hands but to open them and lend whatever is needed (Deut. 15:7-8). Further, they are warned not to let the proximity of the sh’mitah, where debts will be relinquished, deter them from lending (Deut. 15:9). The Israelites are encouraged to give readily, without regret and as a result, they will receive God’s blessing (Deut. 15:10).
Finally, we are reminded that we live in a world where “there will never cease to be needy ones” (Deut. 15:11; see also John 12:8). Even so, the passage concludes with Moses imploring, “open, yes open your hand to your [kin], to your afflicted one and to the needy-one in your land!” (Fox, 920)
How many nations in the majority world are disadvantaged by the debts they owe to wealthy countries in the minority world? What would happen if the mitzvoth of sh’mitah were applied to these debts? Do we dare dream of a world where no one will be in need, or do we resign ourselves to a status quo that benefits a minority of people, corporations and countries over the majority of Earth’s inhabitants—humans and other living beings?
For Reflection and Discussion: 1. This discussion reminds me of the many microfinance initiatives that seek to assist people from poor households in starting businesses that provide income and agency. How might I support initiatives like these? 2. How else might I advocate for the rights of people burdened by poverty or adversely affected by debt? 3. How might the mitzvoth of sh’mitah related to the land also benefit people affected by poverty? What would happen if humans relinquished their ownership of land or at least treated Earth as if it were the common property of the entire community of creation?
This week’s Parashah Commentary was prepared by Mark David Walsh
Bunurong Country, Australia, Bat Kol Alumnus: 2001, 2002, 2004, 2013
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