Hashem spoke to Moshe on Har Sinai (The Lord spoke to Moses at Mt. Sinai):
Speak to B'nei Yisrael (the Children of Israel) and say to them: When you enter the land that I assign you, the land shall observe a Shabbat of Hashem.
Six years you may sow your field and six years you may prune your vineyard and gather in the yield.
But in the seventh year the land shall have a Shabbat of complete rest, a Shabbat of Hashem: you shall not sow your field or prune your vineyard...it shall be a year of complete rest for the land.
- Leviticus 25:1-7 The Israel Bible
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Dear Shofar So Great Partners, Friends, and Family,
The year 5782 on the Hebrew Calendar is a shmita, which for farmers like Erna Covos and the Farm at Beit Hogla, it means the land lays fallow, untouched for the entire year, even affecting the celebration of yesterday's Tu B'Shevat "New Year of the Trees" holiday.
It means that it is forbidden to plant or sell any fruits or vegetables grown in Israel. Erna's organic farm, which produces all of the products of the seven species pictured in the photo above (olives, dates, pomegranates, and figs) is observing a year of rest. As the land is resting, there is no planting, sowing, pruning, or harvesting of the fruits and vegetables that are growing directly in contact with the ground.
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Matriarch and Founder of the Farm at Beit Hogla, Erna Covos welcomes guests to sample and purchase her handmade products at the recently completed Visitor Center at Beit Hogla Farm.
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It is difficult enough for the farmers to survive a normal shmita year, but this one was preceded by Covid-19 and the disappearance of tours and visitors that help sustain the farm through product purchases and financial contributions.
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What a conundrum! Now that the shmita observance is here, we cannot even offer the opportunity to plant a tree on Tu B'shevat, the traditional annual custom that supports the farm. The photos above capture year two of the newly established "Field of the Nations,' compared to the photo below from year one.
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For those that may have missed the modern history of this place, Beit Hogla exists as an agricultural centerpiece in the middle of a significantly historical biblical site. It was founded by Erna Covos (AKA Mrs. Jericho) after the school she established at Shalom Al Yisrael synagogue in Jericho was set afire in the wake of the Oslo Accords twenty years ago when the city was handed over to the Palestinian Authority. Not far away from there lies the ancient biblical Gilgal, the place the nation of Israel was birthed at the crossing of the Jordan River by Joshua and the Israelites. This is where Erna relocated to stake her claim as the force and inspiration turning desolate desert into what is now home to some 600 fully producing olive trees, 170 pomegranate trees, 300 assorted date palms, fig and papayas.
I have chosen to move Shofar So Great's base of operations to this historical site and undergird the efforts of Erna and her vision.
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Here are three of the famed seven species of Israel's bible represented at the Farm at Beit Hogla.
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In lieu of a tree planting this year, would you consider donating to subsidize the maintenance of the farm during a time where there is no opportunity to sell the fruit of our labor?
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Even Shofar So Great is pressed into assisting last year's harvest due to the lack of tours and volunteers.
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Mordechai loans his truck to transport the freshly harvested olives to the olive press!
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You will receive this personalized Certificate of Covenant signed by Erna herself to honor your contribution to restoring the land at Beit Hogla.
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World attention is focused on dividing the land where the G-d of Israel said the returning Jews would never be uprooted again. Beit Hogla stands in the crosshairs of this international dilemma. Your ability to financially support the Farm at Beit Hogla is an act of faith that the G~d of Israel will keep HIS promise for the future of this nation. Show that you care about the Land and the people through a generous donation for the restoration of the Land in honor of Tu B'Shevat.
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Thank you to all current Shofar So Great Partners. A commitment to a recurring monthly subscription supports our efforts to undergird the modern day pioneers at Beit Hogla and offers you the experience to participate in biblical prophecy, the "living bible!" G~d is expecting us to align with Israel to secure our spiritual inheritance and prosperity.
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