In Parashat Behar, we’re introduced to the mitzvah of Shmita, the sabbatical year. Every seven years, the land of Israel is commanded to rest. Farmers stop working the land, debts are forgiven, and whatever grows is shared by all. It’s a beautiful vision of pause, equality, and renewal.
Shmita isn’t just about giving the land a break. It’s a spiritual reset, an invitation to step back from constant productivity and reconnect with our purpose, our community, and ourselves.
In many ways, camp is our Shmita. After months of school, packed schedules, and digital overload, we arrive at Capital Camps and begin to breathe differently. We unplug. We slow down. We step into a new rhythm.
As we prepare for the summer ahead, let’s carry the spirit of Shmita with us. Let’s embrace this sacred pause as a chance to grow, to reflect, and to strengthen our relationships with one another, with nature, and with ourselves.