The Healthy Remedy for the Land

...find a balance between your material needs and your spiritual needs

One of the topics of the reading for this week is the care of our environment. The Torah tells us that every seventh year the land is to rest. This is called shemittah in Hebrew. This is like resting on the seventh day, the Shabbat. By allowing the land to rest, it is given an opportunity to replenish the nutrients that are used for the growth of crops. This teaches us that we should respect the land and use it wisely. Since our food is dependent on the land and our environment, it is vitally important that we keep it as healthy as possible.

During the year of shemittah, the land in a sense, becomes ownerless. Anything that grows in the field of its own is free for individuals, especially those who may be economically less fortunate. In addition, every fiftieth year was a yovel (jubilee). The land rested for the forty-ninth and the fiftieth years. The year of yovel was like an economic reset. Those individuals who may have “sold” their land regained it at the yovel. Debts were settled and people had an opportunity to start over.

How we care for the environment, economics, and finances are important things to know so that we can live the best lives possible. The Torah lists the status of people in various financial positions and their financial health. The way we manage our money and finances is very important.

Most people earn money by working for someone, owning a business, or some other type of asset that generates income. Each person can decide how they are going to generate income; however, it will involve some kind of work. It can be learning a trade or a skill that you provide that other people need. It can be starting a business or buying a business that provides a service or product that is in demand. One can also learn about an asset that produces residual income such as real estate or some other kind of investment.

Earning income is important, however, what is even more valuable than knowing how to earn income is learning about financial literacy and management. Orrin Woodward, in his book, Resolved, discusses ten principles that when learned and applied can help you get financially healthy. Here are his ten principles:

1. Accurately identify your net income. This is different from your gross income; your net income is the income that remains after all expenses are paid.

2. Document all expenses. An expense is when money flows from your possession to another’s possession.

3. Set a financial goal, focusing on reducing expenses and increasing income to spend no more than 75% of your income. For example, if one’s income is $10,000 per month, the goal would be to live on $7,500 per month. This will allow you to accumulate one month’s income every four months.

4. Never finance anything that depreciates. Compound interest can be great working for you but can make life very difficult if working against you.

5. Set a price limit on spontaneous purchases, and anything above this limit must be slept on before making the purchase. An example amount could be $100.

6. Use credit cards wisely; pay off the balance each month to avoid interest payments.

7. Pay off all consumer debt before starting to save. Begin to save money when debts are eliminated.

8. Know the difference between an investment and an expense. An investment has a return while an expense just consumes money.

9. Focus on quality of life and peace of mind.

10. Be a blessing to others if you are able.

You may know and use other principles for your financial health. Just as each person’s physical health is unique, likewise the care for one’s financial health will also be unique. Managing your finances is important because it determines your lifestyle. The Torah speaks of categories of people who are poor and need financial assistance. It is a great mitzvah to assist someone in financial need and teach them financial principles so that they become financially healthy and self-sufficient.

There is another very important lesson we learn when we observe shemittah. Although it is important to work to provide for yourself and your family, it is just as important to take time to rest and recharge. Strive to find a balance between your material needs and your spiritual needs. Remember, true happiness and fulfillment come not from your possessions, but from your relationships and your connection to the divine.