[Avodah] shemitta

[Moshe Feldman]

Someone just pointed me to an article stating that at least as of the
last shemitta, many charedi rabbanim, including Rav Elyashiv, Rav
Karelitz and Rav Wosner support Otzar Bais Din.  See
http://chareidi.shemayisrael.com/archives5761/shelach/SHLCaotzar.htm

Presumably, Rav Elyashiv's statement that "there are those who
maintain that eating shevi'is fruits is a mitzvah" refers to the
Ramban (simple understanding, as understood by Rav Kook, and not the
addition made by the CI).

Excerpt:
<<Farmers in many settlements throughout the country, including Beis
Chilkiya, Chofetz Chaim, Tirat Yehudah, Yesod Hamaaleh, Dalton,
Chazorim, Peduyim, Achuz, Tsafaria and others approached ga'avad HaRav
Nissim Karelitz even before the onset of shmittah, asking that they be
authorized to transfer their fields and vineyards to the Otzar Beis
Din. HaRav Karelitz complied with their request, and set up a special
beis din for that purpose.
<snip>
Distribution stations will soon open in other chareidi centers
throughout the country.
<snip>
HaRav Eliashiv also said that the kashrus arrangements are implemented
with the utmost hiddur. He calls upon the community and Torah
institutions to use the produce distributed by the Otzar Beis Din,
stressing that there are those who maintain that eating shevi'is
fruits is a mitzvah. He then mentions the efforts of the Ridbaz to
reinstate shmittah observance in Eretz Hakodesh by distributing
kedushas shevi'is wine for kiddush. In conclusion, HaRav Eliashiv
notes that those assisting in the observance of shevi'is will be
blessed from the Source of Blessing.

HaRav Shmuel Halevi Wosner, ga'avad of Zichron Meir, joins the appeal
and adds, "I join the abovementioned appeal and I heard about the way
it is done properly."

HaRav Nissim Karelitz, av beis din of the Otzar Beis Din, testifies in
his letter that the "gibborei hakoach, acheinu shebasodos" are braving
many difficulties, and have followed all the directives of the beis
din. He calls upon the community -- including yeshivos and
institutions -- to strengthen those who observe shmittah kehilchoso by
using the fruits which have no chashash of shomur vene'evad and hopes
that everyone will bring the blessing into their homes and eat these
fruits bikedushas shevi'is.
>>

Kol tuv,
Moshe