daf bit: Kiddushin 36

[cellio]

The mishna teaches: every precept which is dependent on the land is practiced only in the land of Israel, and that which is not dependent on the land is practiced both in Israel and the diaspora, except for orlah (restrictions on fruit trees in the first three years) and kelayim (grafting unlike species). What does "dependent on the land" mean? In the g'mara Rav Yehudah understands this to mean: personal obligations are binding everywhere, but obligations of the soil apply only in Israel. (36b-37a)

(As if the land itself were commanded to, for instance, rest in the seventh year? I don't know if that's what the g'mara means, but it's an interesting idea.)

Comments

[geekosaur]

IIRC there's a passage somewhere I can't recall about the first exile being the amount of time that the land had not been allowed its Shabbatot.

[cellio]

I've heard that too -- the number of years of the first exile is the same as the number of sh'mita years that Israel failed to observe. I don't remember where it's from either.