Tag: welfare – care for the poor

Categories
Appointments With God Pentecost/Shavuot

Shavu’ot: Firstfruits and the remnant of the crop left for the poor

A wide, cinematic biblical scene at sunset shows a golden wheat field stretching across the landscape. On the left, a farmer in ancient Near Eastern clothing scatters seed into freshly tilled soil, symbolizing the act of sowing. On the right, several poor gleaners gather grain from the edge of a mature wheat field, recalling the story of Ruth. Warm sunlight shines from the horizon between the two groups, illuminating a path that runs through the center of the image. Large text across the top reads, “God Is the True Sower and He Allows Everyone to Reap the Benefit.” Additional text explains that the sower plants in faith while the gatherer receives God’s kindness, emphasizing that both benefit from God's provision. The overall image conveys themes of divine generosity, stewardship, gratitude, and God's blessings shared with all people.

Shavu’ot is a holiday celebrated 50 days after the Feast of Firstfruits. By this time, most of the harvest is gathered, prepped and stored. But God told His people in Leviticus 23 that they were supposed to leave a remnant behind for the “poor and the stranger.”

Categories
Discussions Torah

Leviticus 25 — Shabbat and jubilee years

Keeping the jubilee year with both crops and servants were an act of faith on the part of the people of Israel. It is difficult to live in freedom of liberty and it is so easy to fall into bondage and slavery. God set up a safety net to protect the people from permanent bondage and slavery and to protect the land from being over consumed and dried up.