Most people know there are Jewish dietary laws
which require the separation of meat and milk.
But I just separated sweet potatoes, peppers and carrots,
from cucumbers and tomatoes.
Why?
Shmita (or spell it shemitta) is Biblical law.
We are well into the shemitta year,
which takes on special meaning for those who live in Israel.
Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Rimon has written books on the subject.
He composed colorful charts and calendars to simplify the laws.
Now in the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens,
Rav Rimon has initiated a special section
to show the laws of shemitta.
For the opening ceremony, Chief Rabbi David Lau spoke,
and then took time to speak to a group of students who participated.
The park is aimed to get children’s attention,
and to make things simple enough
for anyone understand.
With information in Hebrew and English,
there are many examples of what is permissible
and what is not to be done in gardens this year.
The Shemitta Park is simple to reach,
and it is an attractive area
with more interactive features to come.
Check it out if you are in Jerusalem, Israel.
The Botanical Gardens are a great place to visit.
Once a garbage dump,
it is now a beautiful and educational outing.