To leave the unformed clusters of grapes for the poor

Faith – אֱמוּנָה

• Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 222) explains that leaving peret trains the farmer to recognize that even small portions of produce are gifts from Hashem. By obeying, one expresses faith that Divine blessing is not diminished by sharing.

Charity – צְדָקָה

• Mishnah Pe’ah 6:5 codifies peret as a Torah obligation for the poor, just like pe’ah and leket. This system ensures charity is woven into every vineyard, not as generosity alone but as a commanded duty.

Compassion – רַחֲמִים

• Rambam (Hilchot Matanot Aniyim 1:6) stresses that individual grapes must be left for the needy. Compassion is shown in ensuring that nothing, however small, is withheld from those who depend on it.

Justice – צֶדֶק

• Rashi (Leviticus 19:10) interprets peret as grapes falling during harvest, belonging by right to the poor. Justice here means respecting the Torah’s assignment of ownership to those in need.

Community – קְהִלָּה

• By mandating that every vineyard share even its smallest produce, the mitzvah strengthens communal equity. It prevents isolation of wealth and reinforces collective responsibility.

Agriculture – חַקְלָאוּת

• The mitzvah sanctifies vineyard work by embedding restraint and generosity in the act of harvesting. Agriculture is elevated from economic activity to a vehicle of holiness.

Leaving for the Poor – פֵּאָה / לֶקֶט / שִׁכְחָה

• Together with olelot and leket, this mitzvah ensures no part of the harvest is monopolized. It forms part of the Torah’s network of agricultural justice.

Eretz Yisrael – אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל

• Talmud (Kiddushin 39a) teaches that peret is obligatory by Torah law in Israel, while its observance outside Israel is rabbinic. This highlights the holiness of the land and its role in cultivating justice.

Bein Adam L’Makom – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם

• Leaving peret is an act of obedience to Hashem’s command, showing reverence and recognizing His sovereignty over the vineyard.

Bein Adam L’Chavero – בֵּין אָדָם לַחֲבֵרוֹ

• This mitzvah also trains us to be sensitive toward others. By ensuring the poor have access even to scattered grapes, it refines character traits of generosity and fairness in human interactions.