The Sabbath of the Land

Rav Kook’s philosophical introduction to shemitta (in Hebrew and English) and selections from his halakhic writings on the sabbatical year, with a new English introduction and summary essay by Yedidya J Sinclair.

Shabbat HaAretz, first published in 1909, was written by Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, the towering spiritual leader of pre-state Israel. It is undoubtedly the most influential book on shemitta, the biblical sabbatical year, to have appeared in the modern era. The work includes a soaring, lyrical introduction in which Rav Kook sets out his vision of the social and spiritual renewal embodied in shemitta.

The Sabbath of the Land makes this essential book accessible to English-speaking readers. It presents an original, annotated translation of the entire introduction and includes selections from Rav Kook’s halakhic work, rendered in fluent, readable English. These are illuminated by contextualizing essays on Rav Kook’s life and thought, the historical background to Shabbat HaAretz, and the book’s enduring power.

In this brilliant translation of Rav Kook’s work and in his accompanying essays, Yedidya Sinclair succeeds in clarifying the paradoxes of shemitta…. A highly valuable and enlightening volume.
Dr. Avivah Gottlieb Zornberg
Bible educator and author

Provides essential historical, theological, and halakhic context that illuminates the work…. If you have time for just one book on the shemitta year, this is it.
Dr. Yehudah Mirsky
Professor of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies, Brandeis University

Skillfully translated and meaningfully introduced by Rabbi Yedidya Sinclair, this masterpiece demonstrates how the first Chief Rabbi of modern Eretz Israel was able to maintain the biblical ideals of the Sabbatical and Jubilee years despite our rapidly changing economy….
Rabbi Shlomo Riskin
Founding Rabbi of Efrat, Rosh Yeshiva, Ohr Torah Stone