This morning we discuss how and why Shmita (the Sabbatical Year) cancels certain debts in addition to limiting agriculture in Israel. We explore an entire Torah philosophy of wealth and possessions, quoting Rabbi Yisroel Salanter that having wealth is not bad, but loving wealth is bad. We trace how both the agricultural laws of Shmita, and the cancellation of certain debts, allows for a year of radical thinking to help strengthen our trust in God, reorder society, and diminish the gap been wealthy and poor.

Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law. ADATH is a modern orthodox synagogue community in suburban Montreal, providing Judaism for the next generation. We take great pleasure in welcoming everyone with a warm smile, while sharing inspiration through prayer, study, and friendship.

Rabbi Whitman shares his thoughts and inspirations through online lectures and shiurim, which are available on:

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/adathyoutube

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adathmichael/

Podcast - Mining the Riches of the Parsha:

Apple Podcasts - https://tinyurl.com/miningtheriches1

Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/miningtheriches3

Stitcher: https://tinyurl.com/miningtheriches4

Please contact Rabbi Whitman ([email protected]) with any questions for feedback, or to receive a daily email, "Study with Rabbi Whitman Today," with current and past insights for that day, video, and audio, all in one short email sent directly to your inbox.