Up to today we have discussed the rationale of Rav Kook zt”l for supporting the “Heter Mechirah.”Today we will see the position of a scholar who was perhaps the equal of Rav Kook- Rav Yakov Dovid Wilovksy zt”l who is known as Ridbaz. Ridbaz wrote a monumental commentary to the Talmud Yerushami. Ridbaz opposed the Heter Mechirah on many grounds. This evening we will focus on what might be his most interesting objection. Ridbaz asked, if it is possible to abrogate the mitzvah of Shmittah byr selling the land to a non-Jew, then is there any longer a mitzvah to settle in the Land of Israel? If the mitzvot are not applicable, then what sort of sanctity exists?
We will see what Ridbaz wrote and what Rav Kook replied to him.