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Share- Arisut (sharecropping) is when a person “rents” the right to work on another’s field and benefits from what he harvests in exchange for giving the owner of the field a contractually agreed upon percentage (e.g. 25% of the yield).
- Chachirut (tenant farming) is the same as arisut except the renter gives a contractually agreed upon amount (e.g. 500 bushels of berries).
הַמְקַבֵּל שָׂדֶה מֵחֲבֵרוֹ, מְקוֹם שֶׁנָּהֲגוּ לִקְצֹר, יִקְצֹר, לַעֲקֹר, יַעֲקֹר, לַחֲרשׁ אַחֲרָיו, יַחֲרשׁ. הַכֹּל כְּמִנְהַג הַמְּדִינָה. כְּשֵׁם שֶׁחוֹלְקִין בַּתְּבוּאָה, כָּךְ חוֹלְקִין בַּתֶּבֶן וּבַקַּשׁ. כְּשֵׁם שֶׁחוֹלְקִין בַּיַּיִן, כָּךְ חוֹלְקִין בַּזְּמוֹרוֹת וּבַקָּנִים. וּשְׁנֵיהֶם מְסַפְּקִין אֶת הַקָּנִים:
Regarding one who rents [“receives”] a field from his friend [via arisut or chachirut]: in a place where the local custom is to cut [the produce where harvesting it], he must cut. [In a place where the local custom is] to uproot, he must uproot. [If they were accustomed to] plow after [harvesting], he must plow [after harvesting]. Everything goes according to the local custom. Just as they “split” [i.e. proportionally divide based on the specified percentage or amount] the grain, they also “split” the straw and stubble. Just as they “split” the wine, they also“split” the branches [pruned from vines] and poles [that are used to hold up the vines]. And both provide the poles.
Hashkafic Relevance
Illuminators vs. Consumers
- An “illuminator” gives over to others; he brightens one’s day and life; whatever strengths and talents he has, he uses to help others and the world – he gives his proper share of “fruits” back to Hashem; he makes this world a little more beautiful than when he entered it. Some illuminators shine brighter than others, but they all proactively give over light.
- A “consumer” takes without really giving; he’s happy to be the recipient of someone else’s chessed without caring to give back (or is unaware of his obligation to do so) – he eats up most of the ‘fruit” in the “field” without repaying Hashem; he makes the world a bit more barren. Some consumers take more than others, but they all take way more than they leave behind.
Examples of Illuminators
How We Can Be Better Illuminators
2 - When people need assistance moving furniture, making a minyan for someone who can’t make it to shul, building a sukkah, etc. volunteer––even if you don’t want to.
3 - Rabbi Yosef Lynn’s game-changing “heed the call” message: make the shift from receiver/consumer to giver/illuminator.
