Mitzvah —
292
Not to reap in the normal manner that which grows wild in the fiftieth year
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יוֹבֵ֣ל הִ֗וא שְׁנַ֛ת הַחֲמִשִּׁ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה תִּהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֑ם לֹ֣א תִזְרָ֔עוּ וְלֹ֤א תִקְצְרוּ֙ אֶת־סְפִיחֶ֔יהָ וְלֹ֥א תִבְצְר֖וּ אֶת־נְזִרֶֽיהָ׃ כִּ֚י יוֹבֵ֣ל הִ֔וא קֹ֖דֶשׁ תִּהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֑ם מִ֨ן־הַשָּׂדֶ֔ה תֹּאכְל֖וּ אֶת־תְּבוּאָתָֽהּ׃ - פָּרָשַׁת בְּהַר
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Leviticus 25:11-12 - "This fiftieth year shall be a Jubilee for you you shall not sow, nor shall you reap its aftergrowth or pick [its grapes] that you had set aside [for yourself]. For it is Jubilee. It shall be holy for you; you shall eat its produce from the field."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Agriculture – חַקְלָאוּת
It is forbidden to harvest produce that grows wild in the Jubilee year in the regular manner used for profit.
In the Yovel year, even naturally growing crops are not to be reaped as in regular years. The Torah prohibits harvesting in the normal, commercial fashion—gathering and storing grain as though it were a private yield. Instead, produce is to be left accessible and shared, emphasizing that the land and its bounty belong to Hashem.
This mitzvah mirrors the Shemitah laws (Mitzvah 282) but applies specifically to Yovel. Rambam notes that reaping “like an owner” undermines the Torah’s purpose of liberty and equality. Yovel is not just agricultural rest; it is a radical reset of social structures, and the way produce is handled reflects this.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Shemitah V’Yovel 10:14): Equates the prohibitions of Shemitah and Yovel, including the ban on harvesting for personal profit.
- Talmud (Arachin 32b): States that both Shemitah and Yovel prohibit harvesting and gathering in the usual manner, requiring a different approach that reflects holiness.
- Rashi (Leviticus 25:11): Notes that “סְפִיחֶיהָ” refers to the aftergrowth, which may not be reaped as in ordinary years.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 334): Explains that the restriction fosters humility and recognition of Hashem as the true Master of the land.
- Sifra (Behar 2:5): Interprets the verse to mean that reaping is not abolished, but restricted to prevent ownership-style control.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
Applying this Mitzvah Today
Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals
Faith – אֱמוּנָה
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 334) teaches that by not reaping as owners, Israelites affirm faith in Hashem’s provision rather than personal labor.
Holiness – קְדֻשָּׁה
- Rambam (Hilchot Shemitah V’Yovel 10:14) describes Yovel produce as holy, requiring special treatment rather than normal harvest.
Agriculture – חַקְלָאוּת
- Sifra (Behar 2:5) clarifies that agricultural work shifts in Yovel, preventing full-scale harvests that mimic private farming.
Eretz Yisrael – אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל
- The mitzvah applies exclusively in Israel, where Divine law governs the land’s cycles of rest and release.
Shemitah – שְׁמִטָּה
- Talmud (Arachin 32b) compares Yovel’s harvesting restrictions to Shemitah, showing continuity between the two cycles.
Jubilee year / Yovel – יוֹבֵל
- This mitzvah directly governs how crops may (and may not) be reaped during Yovel, reflecting its holiness. (Lev. 25:11.)
Justice – צֶדֶק
- By forbidding ownership-style harvesting, the law prevents hoarding and ensures equal access for all. (Rashi on Lev. 25:11.)
Community – קְהִלָּה
- The produce of Yovel is meant to be available to everyone, reinforcing community unity and shared sustenance.
Reverence – יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם
- Restraining normal harvest reflects awe of Hashem’s command that the land rest for His sake.
Bein Adam L’Makom – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם
- Observing the restriction sanctifies one’s relationship with Hashem, recognizing His mastery over land and food.
Bein Adam L’Chavero – בֵּין אָדָם לַחֲבֵרוֹ
- Ensures fairness and access for all, especially the poor, reinforcing justice between people. (Sefer HaChinuch 334.)
