Laws of Shemita (sabbatical year)

“The Revolutionary Nature of Shemita and Yovel”
(updated and revised from Behar-Bechukotai 5764-2004)

Parashat Behar, the first of this week’s double Torah portion, highlights the practice of ShemitaYovel--the Jubilee celebration. These revolutionary ideas, from over 3300 years ago, were light-years ahead of their time, guaranteeing rest and rehabilitation for both people and land. The Torah displays its unique understanding for the critical need for universal education, the necessity for sacred time for family and for study, as well as the far-sighted vision of a system that provided a more equitable distribution of wealth among all the inhabitants of the land.

"The Revolutionary Nature of Shemita and Yovel"

The first of the double portions, Behar, highlights the practice of Shemita--the Sabbatical year, and Yovel, the Jubilee celebration. These revolutionary ideas, from over 3300 years ago, were light-years ahead of their time, guaranteeing rest and rehabilitation for both people and land. Once again, the Torah shows its understanding for the critical need for universal education and the necessity for sacred time for family and for study, as well as the far-sighted vision of a system that provided for a more equitable distribution of wealth among all the inhabitants of the land.