Last week, the Machon HaTorah V’Haaretz held its 26th anniversary event on the campus of Jerusalem’s Machon Lev. It was attended by numerous prominent rabbonim, including Rishon L’Tzion Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef Shlita, former Rishon L’Tzion Rabbi Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron Shlita, Chief Rabbi David Lau Shlita and Rabbi Yaakov Ariel Shlita. Rav Ariel is the president of the machon.

The Jerusalem College of Technology is working with rabbonim of the machon as they seek to develop new methods to address Halachic issues that arise in today’s modern farming era.

Rav Yitzchak Yosef explained that Rabbi Yosef Efrati Shlita, who was very close to Maran HaGaon HaRav Yosef Sholom Elyashiv ZT”L , tried to persuade Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ZT”L not to accept heter mechira and to come out publically against it. It was explained to Maran that today, the heter is no longer relevant since produce may be imported from the Diaspora. Rav Yitzchak Yosef explained Rav Efrati told Maran “The tzibur no longer requires this heter”.

Rav Yosef responded “And what of the farmers? They don’t require this heter either,” to which Rav Efrati reportedly responded הלעיטהו לרשע וימות’ אין לנו אחריות על הרשעים הללו.

Rav Ovadia then reportedly stated “this is the point of machlokes between me and R’ Elyashiv. We feel a responsibility to Klall Yisrael.”

Rav Yitzchak Yosef explained “My father did not agree to this because of his concern for Klall Yisrael”.

Closing the forum was Rabbi Yaakov Ariel, who addressed the question pertaining to the upcoming shmitah year, if one should prefer otzar beis din, heter mechira produce or non-Jewish produce.

Rav Ariel explained that the premise is that Am Yisrael eats the produce of Eretz Yisrael during shmitah year and one should not buy non-Jewish produce but one should support the farmers working with the vaad shmitah and selling according to Halacha via the beis din.

“Consuming produce from non-Jews compels the Ministry of Agriculture to increase their land and water allocations and therefore, anyone buying from Arabs violates the prohibition of לא תחונם.”

The rav clarified “The other options during shmitah are heter mechira and buying from abroad, but this is not the kavona of the Torah. The responsibility lies with consumers to purchase otzar beis din produce towards strengthening the farmers who have chosen this preferred method.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)