Someone told me 2016 was the shmita…

The sabbath year (shmita Hebrew: שמיטה‎‎, literally “release”) also called the sabbatical year or shvi’it (Hebrew: שביעית‎‎, literally “seventh”) is the seventh year of the seven-year agricultural cycle mandated by the Torah for the Land of Israel,[1] and still observed in contemporary Judaism.

During shmita, the land is left to lie fallow and all agricultural activity, including plowing, planting, pruning and harvesting, is forbidden by halakha (Jewish law). Other cultivation techniques (such as watering, fertilizing, weeding, spraying, trimming and mowing) may be performed as a preventive measure only, not to improve the growth of trees or other plants. Additionally, any fruits which grow of their own accord are deemed hefker (ownerless) and may be picked by anyone. A variety of laws also apply to the sale, consumption and disposal of shmita produce. All debts, except those of foreigners, were to be remitted.[2]

Chapter 25 of the Book of Leviticus promises bountiful harvests to those who observe the shmita, and describes its observance as a test of religious faith. There is little notice of the observance of this year in Biblical history and it appears to have been much neglected. (source)

I say, bring back the shmita! We have (unintentionally) observed it this year and am so glad we allowed Spy Garden to rest.

Are you all enjoying this season? It has been very mild and warm here.

Today is November 15 and our basil is still green as can be. When the basil turns black you know the first frost has arrived and winter is coming! Woo! I really love winter. Winter is quite shmita-y; the perfect time for rest and reflection. The first frost is due this weekend.

What I am NOT schmita-ing is school; So. Much. School work. I am currently taking two courses; advanced pathophysiology and advanced pharmacology (studying to get my doctorate in nursing practice) so basically endless reading of bloated anthologies of all the possible things that go wrong in the human body and all the drugs we’ve created to fix these problems whilst creating new problems (#sideeffects).  I prefer the topic of health promotion/prevention and a nonpharmacological focus on wellness; but of course this stuff is good to know.

I wasn’t quite ready for Halloween to end at the beginning of November so took a little more time and refined the carved pumpkins:

And check out these cool microscopic views of grains of sand:

Happy November everyone! Please share in the comments what you think about the practice of a schmita year…Or the supermoon…Or those amazing microscopic photographs! Your comments are welcome and thanks for visiting Spy Garden!!