Lost, found and fallow: Israel attempts to heed biblical commands

The Hamas take over of the Gaza Strip has seriously impeded a deal that would have allowed flour farmers to remain profitable while observing the biblical command to allow the land to go fallow every seven years. Highlighting further how much Israel's economic and political fortunes are tied to biblical commands, last Friday Israel today reported:

"Residents of Beit El on Tuesday joyously resumed compliance with the forgotten biblical commandment to tithe the first wool sheared from a sheep born and raised in the Land of Israel to the priests."

Luckily, because the residents suddenly became aware of Deuteronomy 18:13, Beit El's Chief Rabbi reports, “These commandments bring us closer to our dream of rebuilding the Holy Temple and supporting the priests.”