Maran HaGreig Edelstein's Foundation for Farmers 'The Seventh Fund': "A Partner in the Honor of Heaven""

May 11, 2022   

One after another, representatives of farmers from all over the country came to the home of Maran Rosh Yeshiva, the Rabbi Edelstein, this week - representing the thousands of farmers of the 'Seventh Fund', the heroes of the force who stand guard and guard Shemitah with dedication, despite all temptations and despite the enormous financial losses. Also present were representatives of the 'Seventh Fund', Rabbi Issachar Lederman and Rabbi Naftali Yaakovson - veteran members of the fund's management. At the special event, Maran Rosh Yeshiva ordered the establishment of a special fund to assist farmers during this period, given the fact that the state blatantly ignores the sacrifices of farmers and does not assist them as they should in guarding Shemitah. Because of this, Maran Rosh Yeshiva even saw fit to sign an unusual letter, in which he calls on the public to stand by the farmers during this particular period, in the middle of the Shemitah year, and to strengthen those who stand for the sanctity of the land. CEO of the Fund The Seventh, Rabbi Benjamin Cohen, presented the worrying situation among farmers. "It is precisely after a gift from heaven, after God blessed us with a winter full of blessing rains, that many farmers are torn apart in huge attempts to stop the strike," said Rabbi Cohen. "Farmers tell us that members and representatives of the authorities are trying to convince them, you have done enough, you have kept half a shemita, next time you will keep a full shemita. Now, because of the rain, you have an opportunity to start excellent summer crops. Take advantage of it." The conference participants were shocked by the serious things and Rabbi Cohen continued to talk about the challenges of the Seventh Fund. "We are strengthening them, and the support of the whole of Israel creates a great commitment in them, but we cannot abandon them. If we do not meet our commitments, farmers will fall into the terrible test and will desecrate the sanctity of the land, as unfortunately has already happened." Rabbi Cohen turned to the Maran Rosh Ha-Yeshiva and asked: "How do you encourage the public, those who have donated and those who have not yet donated, to continue to stand in the breach and assist the farmers, the heroes of the force in the campaign for the sanctity of the land, and may God not desecrate God and cause trouble under our hands?" The Maran Rosh Ha-Yeshiva spoke out in sharp words and said in light of these things that whoever donates to the Seventh Fund is a partner in the honor of God and increases the honor of God. The special letter states that "the issue of observing the Sabbath is hanging in the balance, and there is a danger that, God forbid, they will not be able to continue to observe the commandments of the Sabbath and be counted among the heroes of the force." In his letter, the G.I.G. reinforced the establishment of the special fund and added: "It is certainly a great privilege for our brothers, the Jewish people of every location, to participate and assist in this as much as they can, and even those who have already participated can return and give." At the end of the event, the representatives of the farmers went to be blessed by the Maran Rosh Ha-Yeshiva, who blessed each and every one of them personally and strengthened their spirits in view of their endurance in the difficult trials. The participants dispersed with a feeling of elation in view of the Maran Rosh Ha-Yeshiva's extraordinary words of encouragement, who poured strength and spiritual strength into the heads of the organization who work hard to strengthen the observance of the Shabbat, and into the farmers who sit first in the kingdom and stand guard over the sanctity of the land.