Mitzvah —
230
To estimate the value of consecrated fields
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וְאִ֣ם ׀ מִשְּׂדֵ֣ה אֲחֻזָּת֗וֹ יַקְדִּ֥ישׁ אִישׁ֙ לַֽה׳ וְהָיָ֥ה עֶרְכְּךָ֖ לְפִ֣י זַרְע֑וֹ זֶ֚רַע חֹ֣מֶר שְׂעֹרִ֔ים בַּחֲמִשִּׁ֖ים שֶׁ֥קֶל כָּֽסֶף׃ - פָּרָשַׁת בְּחֻקּתַי
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Leviticus 27:16 - "And if a man consecrates some of the field of his inherited property to the L-rd, the valuation shall be according to its sowing: an area which requires a chomer of barley seeds at fifty silver shekels."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Justice / Courts – דִּינִים
When a person consecrates a field, its value must be estimated according to the Torah’s system of measurement.
This mitzvah requires the kohen to evaluate consecrated fields based on their size and the amount of seed needed to sow them, not by market price or appearance. The Torah fixes the rate — a homer of barley seed per fifty shekels of silver — ensuring an objective and consistent valuation.
The mitzvah demonstrates that consecrations are not subject to human bias or manipulation. Fields, as a person’s most valuable possession, when dedicated, are tied directly into a sacred system of fairness that honors both Hashem and the Temple.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Arachin 4:16): Explains the system of field valuation is precise, tied to Torah-determined measures of seed capacity.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 378): The root is to ensure that sacred pledges are fulfilled in fairness and not exaggerated or diminished by circumstance.
- Talmud (Arachin 25a): Discusses the mechanics of valuation for different types of fields, including those near Jubilee years.
- Rashi (Leviticus 27:16): Stresses that the valuation is based on seed capacity, not on subjective appearance or location.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
Applying this Mitzvah Today
Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals
Faith – אֱמוּנָה
- Rambam (Hilchot Arachin 4:16) explains that field valuations follow precise Torah guidelines, not market fluctuations. Faith is demonstrated by trusting Hashem’s fixed standard, even when it differs from human logic or local economics.
Justice – צֶדֶק
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 378) teaches that the valuation system ensures fairness by removing subjective bias. Justice is served when all consecrated fields are valued equally by seed capacity, not by wealth or beauty.
Holiness – קְדֻשָּׁה
- Rashi (Leviticus 27:16) notes that valuation is tied to Torah’s objective measure, sanctifying the act of consecration. Holiness here means lifting a person’s most valuable asset — land — into the service of Hashem through a consistent system.
Agriculture – חַקְלָאוּת
- Talmud (Arachin 25a) details that fields are valued according to how much barley seed they can produce. This agricultural measure ties the mitzvah directly to the land’s potential for growth, connecting farming with sanctity.
Speech – דָּבָר
- The consecration begins with a verbal declaration. Words of sanctification obligate the field’s valuation, showing again that speech creates binding holiness and financial duty.
Vows / Oaths – נְדָרִים / שְׁבוּעוֹת
- Rambam emphasizes that a vow to consecrate land is fulfilled not by market estimation but by Torah’s valuation. This protects the sanctity of vows and ensures they are carried out concretely.
Community – קְהִלָּה
- Sefer HaChinuch points out that valuations supported the Temple treasury, tying private property to the welfare of the entire nation. The system unified individuals with the community’s collective sanctity.
Eretz Yisrael – אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל
- Field consecrations apply specifically to ancestral land in Israel, linking the mitzvah to the holiness of the land. This highlights that even agricultural property is bound up with Divine service.
Bein Adam L’Makom – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם
- Ultimately, consecrating a field is a pledge to Hashem. The mitzvah demonstrates loyalty and devotion to G-d by turning personal property into a sacred obligation defined by Torah law.
