“Shmita,” as it is referred to in Hebrew, is the Biblical commandment for the land of Israel to lie fallow every seven years, a year of agricultural rest.
The observance of shmita begins on Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish New Year, which this year commences on the evening of Monday, September 6.
Jewish farmers who don’t observe shmita, besides violating Jewish law, risk losing kosher certification for their produce.
Produce grown in Israel during the year is considered to have a heightened degree of holiness which remains even after the Sabbatical year ends.