A special gathering was held last week between a group of Shomrei Shemittah farmers and the Tzanzer Rebbe, Shlit"a, at the close of a special evening held for the members of the "Yarchei Kallah" of Agudas Yisrael in America, which took place in the Ramada Hotel in Yerushalayim. The Rebbe, Shlit"a, who came to address the guests from America, was clearly moved as the group of farmers gathered before him.

Among those present at this special gathering were the Rav of Kommemiyus, Harav Menachem Mendel Mendelsohn, Shlit"a, the director of "Keren Hasheviis", Harav BenZion Kugler and members of the administration - Harav Yisrael Yitzchok Mendelsohn-, Shlit"a and Harav Avraham Rubinstein. The attention of the crowd was turned to the group of farmers who, through supreme mesirus nefesh, are observing the laws of Shemittah, despite the enormous difficulties that they encounter.

The evening opened with words from Harav Yisrael Yitzchok Mendelsohn, who pointed out the zechus they had to be graced with the visit of the Rebbe, Shlit"a, who came to encourage them in their nisayon of keeping Shemittah. The Rebbe, Shlit"a responded that Rav Mendelsohn was mistaken in his words and stated, "It is a zechus for me to be here with you and to strengthen you. A person can never know why he came to a place and what the real purpose is for him to be there. 'MeHashem Mitzadei Gaver'- Hashem guides a person's steps. Maybe the reason I came here today is for you."

Later on he stressed the importance of the mitzvah of Shemittah. "The greatness of the mitzvah of Shemittah is well known. Through your observance, you are being motzi the entire Klal Yisrael in this mitzvah. There is no doubt that we are very close to yeshuas Hashem. We are approaching the days of Moshiach, to the point that it may be considered "Hinei Ze Omaid Achar Kosleinu"- it is standing behind the walls. I am sure that you will be the first to greet him. They will throw me out… because it is you who have labored and were mekadesh Shem Shomayim berabim by publicizing that there is Torah in Eretz Yisrael and it is being kept just as when Bnei Yisrael accepted the Torah at Har Sinai."

The Rebbe of Tzanz, Shlit"a continued on to say that Am Yisrael's very existence in Eretz Yisrael today is miraculous. "We would have no hope if it were not for Hashem's kindness, and there is no doubt that this is also in the zechus of the great mitzvah that you are keeping with mesirus nefesh. We do not know the value of each mitzvah. Only Hashem knows that. It is known, however, that for every word of Torah learned we receive a mitzvah. If this is so, I would think that when the mitzvah of Shemittah is observed, every leaf is a mitzvah! Surely, in the zechus of this mitzvah Hashem is protecting all Klal Yisrael. Hashem should bless you in your efforts. In truth, your bracha is written in the Torah, clearer than any other. We believe with all certainty that you will be granted this bracha and you will see nachas and simcha in your families and from Klal Yisrael, and we will all be zocheh to greet Moshiach speedily in our days."