This mitzvah governs the unique case of houses sold within walled cities. Unlike agricultural land or houses in unwalled villages, such houses may only be redeemed by the seller (or his family) within one year of sale. If not redeemed during that time, the sale becomes permanent, and the house does not revert at Yovel.

Rambam codifies these laws, distinguishing between agricultural fields, village houses, and walled-city houses. The Torah’s differentiation reflects the special role of agricultural land as sacred inheritance, while urban dwellings—especially in fortified cities—were more tied to commerce and settlement than tribal heritage.

This mitzvah shows the Torah’s balanced approach: protecting family land inheritance while allowing flexibility in urban housing markets.

Commentary & Classical Explanation:

• Rambam (Hilchot Shemitah V’Yovel 12:1–4): Distinguishes between fields, village houses, and walled-city houses, noting that the latter may be permanently sold after one year.
• Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 338): Explains that this law reflects the different sanctity of agricultural versus urban property—fields are tied to Israel’s covenantal inheritance, but city houses are not.
• Rashi (Leviticus 25:29): Notes that redemption applies only within the first year; after that, the house remains with the buyer forever.
• Talmud (Arachin 31b): Expounds the details of redemption and calculates “a full year” literally as twelve months, not twelve lunar months.
• Ramban (Lev. 25:30): Stresses that the Torah preserved the permanent sanctity of the land, while distinguishing city property.