Not to work the soil during the fiftieth year
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This Mitzvah's Summary
It is forbidden to plow, sow, or perform agricultural work during the Jubilee year, just as in Shemitah.
The Torah forbids all agricultural labor in the Jubilee (Yovel) year, paralleling the restrictions of Shemitah. This includes plowing, sowing, pruning, and other work that promotes growth. The land itself is to rest, for Yovel is “קֹדֶשׁ תִּהְיֶה לָכֶם”—a holy year of release and restoration.
Rambam emphasizes that Yovel is sanctified in the same way as Shemitah but carries an added dimension: its holiness extends beyond the agricultural sphere into social and economic structures, as slaves are freed and land is restored. The prohibition on agricultural work during Yovel affirms that the land belongs to Hashem alone and must be returned to Him in cycles of rest.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Shemitah V’Yovel 10:14): States that all agricultural restrictions of Shemitah apply equally during Yovel.
- Sifra (Behar 2:4): Explains that the Torah repeats the prohibition to stress Yovel’s independent sanctity, not just as an extension of Shemitah.
- Talmud (Arachin 32b): Discusses the equivalence of Shemitah and Yovel regarding agricultural prohibitions, but with Yovel adding laws of liberty and return.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 333): Teaches that just as Shemitah trains us in faith and trust, so too Yovel, but on a broader national scale.
- Rashi (Leviticus 25:11): Notes that Yovel is called “holy,” emphasizing that agricultural restraint mirrors spiritual sanctity.
Commentaries
Applying this Mitzvah Today
Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals
Faith – אֱמוּנָה
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 333) explains that resting the land in Yovel trains the nation to rely on Hashem for sustenance, just as in Shemitah.
Holiness – קְדֻשָּׁה
- Rashi (Lev. 25:11) calls Yovel “קֹדֶשׁ,” showing that refraining from work elevates the year into sacred status.
Agriculture – חַקְלָאוּת
- Rambam (Hilchot Shemitah V’Yovel 10:14) applies all Shemitah farming restrictions to Yovel, prohibiting sowing, plowing, and pruning.
Eretz Yisrael – אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל
- These agricultural restrictions apply exclusively in the Land of Israel, which Hashem sanctified through Shemitah and Yovel cycles.
Shemitah – שְׁמִטָּה
- Talmud (Arachin 32b) equates Yovel with Shemitah in agricultural prohibitions, extending the land’s Shabbat rest to the fiftieth year.
Jubilee year / Yovel – יוֹבֵל
- This mitzvah highlights Yovel’s independent sanctity, adding to its social laws of release with agricultural rest. (Sifra Behar 2:4.)
Reverence – יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם
- Restraining from farm work cultivates awe of Hashem, showing reverence for His command over the cycles of time and land.
Community – קְהִלָּה
- By suspending agricultural work, all Israel shares equally in Yovel’s holiness, reinforcing national unity and shared destiny.
Bein Adam L’Makom – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם
- The mitzvah expresses loyalty to Hashem by recognizing His ownership of the land and obedience to His sanctification of time.
