What A Difference A Tree Makes

I trust you can see the giant tree towering over the orange tree.

That enormous tree, which had been growing as quickly as Jack's beanstalk is now history. I paid a neighbor to chop it down and take it away. Last year it wasn't all that big. I could easily hang out my laundry, which dried quickly, and it certainly wasn't taller than the orange tree then.

Suddenly, this year, as winter turned to spring, laundry didn't dry all that well, and that strange tree, which grew uninvited, began to take over the yard and barge into the orange tree. Before Passover, even though I was sick with COVID, I could see that it had to go before it strangled the orange tree.

Yes, it's Shmitta year, when we're supposed to give the fields and gardens a break. But when a non-fruitbearing tree endangers a fruit-bearing tree, it can be cut down.

Today my neighbor came over with his electric saw and got to work on the tree, which was actually two or maybe more like Siamese twins or a two-headed monster.

Within a few hours, they were gone, and I felt that I could breath. I hadn't realized how much that two-headed monster of a tree had taken over my yard. 

I immediately did a couple of loads of laundry and was amazed at how quickly things dried. Laundry hadn't been drying the past few months, and it wasn't because of winter. We've been in the house over 35 years, and laundry had always dried quickly, until this year. Apparently, the tree trapped in the humidity, dampness in the clothes. 

It's like having having cataract surgery... Suddenly I can see from my merpeset (terrace.)

The Best Thing about Sh'mitta, (Agricultural Sabbatical)

I used to find nothing at all good about Sh'mitta year, that seventh year when we're not supposed to farm the Land or garden either. No, it's not because I love gardening; we have the most ignored, neglected patch of land in all of Shiloh. It's because I really hate how some people think that only their psak rabbinic/halachik (Jewish Law) way of keeping Shmitta is the right one.  I don't want to get into the pros and cons of the various methods, heter mechira (technical selling of the Land,) eating only non-Jews produced produce or eating only Jewish that has the status of Otzar Beit Din. As of late, more and more people are getting a variety and trying to keep track and treat each suitably. That is good, since the "only" business keeps people apart.

In rather rural/suburban places like Shiloh, many of us have gardens with fruit trees, and the fruit grows without any real care needed. I'm going to simplify all of the Halachic (Jewish Law) stuff. The fruit, whether grapes, apples or also herbs and vegetables are of a status called Otzar Beit Din and must be treated with great respect.

You can't throw leftover or peels or whatever in a regular garbage, and you can't profit from it. The owners don't own it; the produce of the Land is owned by G-d. So the custom here in Shiloh and many other places is to announce that it's hefker, ownerless, and invite all to partake. But remember that you can only take what you need for the day, not store for days or the week. Think of the Biblical Gd given Mahn that Jews had while wandering in the wilderness. They could take for only that day and double on Friday for Shabbat.

Last week I was happy to see an announcement in our local email list inviting us to take ripe figs from our neighbor's tree.

And I did, as you can see. These were the largest figs I'd ever seen. And bli neder when we finally have ripe grapes, we, too will invite our neighbors to partake.

That's how it works. Shemittah should bring us together and not separate us.

Last Taste of Summer

There aren't enough good grapes for a proper "harvest," but I did enjoy a nosh from these that are better than the sweetest of manufactured candies.

Next year, all the grapes here and all the fruit, vegetables etc in the Land of Israel will have the holiness of Shemitta. We won't have private ownership and will be able to take from everyone's garden, just as much as we need, no more. There are neighbors waiting for these grapes.

Shmitta, In Practice

One of the schools I tested girls in, for the Israeli Bagrut English "Interview" Test, was Ulpanat Ofra, the Girls High School in Ofra. It's the largest high school in Mateh Binyamin, our regional council.

I just can't get over its size. When my daughter entered, twenty years ago, she was in its third class, and they fed sixty people for lunch, including staff. Today, it's a six-grade school, from the Seventh Grade until the Twelfth, both junior and senior high schools. I was told that they now prepare food for a thousand.

These are not garbage pails. The signs say to put any "Kedushat shvi'it" here, from fruits and vegetables, left over on plates.

best spring in a long time

From the blooms, blossoms and weeds, this must have been the perfect winter here in the Holy Land. Chazal, our Sages, tell us that we get the rains we deserve according to our "behavior." Well, if that's the case, G-d has been very forgiving. Or is it because next year is "Shmita," the G-d commanded, Sabbatical of the Land and the farmers?

I'll let you in on a "secret;" I really hate that year and a half of the seven year cycle. But this isn't the post to blog on it. Now I'm just interested in posting some gorgeous and "unique" pictures I took over Pesach. This is is large bunch, and they were taken during my "last" little walk around the neighborhood before finishing the Holiday cooking.

Enjoy the pictures:

and s'more visiting

I never quite finished last night...

Marallyn having one of those winter days...

NYC Educator rants about the unaffordability of housing.

Is a hotel Pesach a real Pesach? That's what the Pragmaticion is asking. There are many Jews being raised who know no other.

The Baleboosteh isn't sleeping well alone with their three precious stones when hubby is in hospital. Refuah Shleimah!

The Modern Uberdox reflects on blogging after a two week break.

Stacy found a Jew at Costco.

And I just found a "new for me jblog," jew-ish by someone in the process of becoming a Jew. Read about the thoughts in choosing a new name. Actually, the name I use is one I "chose myself." I guess I ought to blog about it sometime.

I didn't mention it, but now I will. My husband was away for two days.

Cosmic X has some bad, but expected news. Shmitta is coming, and it's going to be tougher for many of us. Gevalt.

I just got a call that I have an early ride to the pool! Must get ready!

So try visiting all these nice blogs and send my regards please. Just mention that the muse sent you!