Mitzvah —
242
Not to gather the gleanings
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וּֽבְקֻצְרְכֶם֙ אֶת־קְצִ֣יר אַרְצְכֶ֔ם לֹ֧א תְכַלֶּ֛ה פְּאַ֥ת שָׂדְךָ֖ לִקְצֹ֑ר וְלֶ֥קֶט קְצִֽירְךָ֖ לֹ֥א תְלַקֵּֽט׃ וְכַרְמְךָ֙ לֹ֣א תְעוֹלֵ֔ל וּפֶ֥רֶט כַּרְמְךָ֖ לֹ֣א תְלַקֵּ֑ט לֶֽעָנִ֤י וְלַגֵּר֙ תַּעֲזֹ֣ב אֹתָ֔ם אֲנִ֖י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ - פָּרָשַׁת קְדשִׁים
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Leviticus 19:9-10 - "When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not fully reap the corner of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you collect the [fallen] individual grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger. I am the Lord, your God."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Agriculture – חַקְלָאוּת
It is forbidden for the landowner to collect fallen stalks (leket) during the harvest; they must be left for the poor.
This mitzvah prohibits the farmer from gathering the stalks of grain that fall during harvesting. Instead, the poor and the stranger are entitled to collect them. Together with the positive commandment of leket (Mitzvah 241), this prohibition reinforces the Torah’s system of agricultural justice and generosity.
The mitzvah ensures the dignity of the poor by granting them a rightful share in the harvest. It also trains landowners in restraint, reminding them that the blessings of their fields are not theirs alone, but entrusted by Hashem to benefit the community.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Matanot Aniyim 1:4): Defines the boundaries of leket — two stalks must be left; three or more may be gathered.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 219): Notes that the purpose is to cultivate generosity and humility, reminding farmers that wealth is not exclusively theirs.
- Mishnah Pe’ah 4:10: Clarifies details of what qualifies as leket.
- Rashi (Leviticus 19:9): Stresses that “do not gather” is directed at the landowner, preventing them from depriving the poor of their share.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
Applying this Mitzvah Today
Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals
Faith – אֱמוּנָה
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 219) explains that leaving leket demonstrates trust in Hashem’s will. By refraining from gathering every stalk, the farmer affirms that abundance comes from G-d and is meant to be shared.
Charity – צְדָקָה
- Mishnah Pe’ah 4:10 makes clear that leket is not optional charity but a Torah obligation. The prohibition ensures that charity is not neglected, but enshrined as a duty of every farmer.
Compassion – רַחֲמִים
- Rambam (Hilchot Matanot Aniyim 1:4) notes that leket protects the dignity of the poor by allowing them to collect directly from the field. This embodies compassion not just in provision, but in preserving self-respect.
Justice – צֶדֶק
- Rashi (Leviticus 19:9) emphasizes that the prohibition is directed at the landowner: “Do not gather.” Justice means ensuring fairness by protecting the poor’s rightful share of the harvest.
Community – קְהִלָּה
- This mitzvah strengthens the fabric of society by obligating every landowner to contribute. It binds rich and poor together, ensuring that no harvest excludes the needy.
Agriculture – חַקְלָאוּת
- Like pe’ah, this mitzvah embeds mitzvah observance into farming. Agriculture becomes more than labor; it becomes a sacred act of service, tied to Hashem’s justice.
Leaving for the Poor – פֵּאָה / לֶקֶט / שִׁכְחָה
- Rambam and the Mishnah group this mitzvah with pe’ah and shikhecha, creating a system of agricultural obligations designed to uphold the dignity and sustenance of the poor.
Eretz Yisrael – אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל
- Talmud (Kiddushin 39a) teaches that leket is a Torah obligation in Eretz Yisrael, reflecting the land’s holiness. Outside of Israel, the mitzvah applies rabbinically to preserve the value of generosity.
Bein Adam L’Makom – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם
- By refraining from gathering leket, a farmer obeys Hashem’s command and acknowledges His sovereignty over the land and its produce.
Bein Adam L’Chavero – בֵּין אָדָם לַחֲבֵרוֹ
- This mitzvah also refines interpersonal conduct, ensuring that generosity and fairness toward others are practiced in everyday life. It strengthens social bonds by protecting the poor and stranger.
