BY: Sarah Belfer
This week’s parsha, Parshat Behar, begins with the laws of shmita. According to these laws, every seventh year is a sabbatical year during which the land, and the people who work it, rest. During this time, all food that the land produces must be left for anybody to take. Therefore, not only do landowners not receive profit from the sales of crops, but also poor people are given an opportunity to collect food. This special giving to the poor can serve as a reminder for the obligation to help the poor all the time, even when the shmita year is over. In many ways this cycle parallels the weekly cycle, which is also comprised of six units of work followed by one of rest. Shmita is even referred to as "Shabbat Shabbaton" (Vayikra 25:4). Both the weekly sabbath and the shmita year serve not only as opportunities for rest, but also as chances to be reminded of what is important.
After seven cycles of seven years (i.e. after 49 years), yovel is observed. At this point, the land is not worked, slaves are freed, and property is returned to its original owners. In a sense, yovel is the culmination of seven shmita cycles. But, As Rabbi Ari Kahn points out, while the shmita and weekly Sabbath cycles parallel one another, there is no obvious parallel to yovel within the Sabbath cycle. However, there does seem to be a connection between Yovel and Yom Kippur as on Yom Kippur of the Jubilee year, the shofar is blown and yovel begins. Additionally, the weekly Sabbath, shmita, and Yom Kippur are seemingly all connected as they are all referred to in the torah as "Shabbat Shabbaton." This may suggest that while Yom Kippur is the ultimate day of atonement, the fact that Yom Kippur shares its name with these other times suggests that they all serve as opportunities for self-reflection, change, and renewal. They are all opportunities to cease the regular routine and to look backwards and forwards.
We are currently in the midst of Sefirat Haomer. During Sefirat Ha'omer we count the seven weeks between Pesach and Shavuot. Therefore, while 7 cycles of 7 years (or 49 years) culminate in yovel, 7 cycles of 7 weeks (or 49 days) culminate in Shavuot. The connection between yovel and Shavuot is highlighted by the opening passage of this week's Parsha. This week’s parsha begins, “And G-d spoke unto Moses in Mount Sinai saying” (Leviticus 25:1). This draws attention to the fact that like the Torah that was given on Shavuot at Mount Sinai, the laws given in this parsha (including those regarding Shmita and Yovel) were given by Mount Sinai.
Not only are there parallels between the times designated as Shavuot and yovel, but also there are parallels in the times that proceed them. Proceeding both are 49 units of time which are passed, noted, and in the case of Sefirat Ha'omer counted in anticipation of the momentous event that is to come. During yovel debts are annulled, slaves are freed, and land is returned to its original owners—all events which allow people to start anew. Similarly, each Shavuot, we celebrate the giving of the Torah and are given a new opportunity to embrace it. Therefore, while yovel and Shavuot may serve as the moments for great change to take place, the days leading up to them may also serve as a time for preparation and anticipation for the new beginning and opportunities to come.
Shabbat Shalom!
This week’s parsha, Parshat Behar, begins with the laws of shmita. According to these laws, every seventh year is a sabbatical year during which the land, and the people who work it, rest. During this time, all food that the land produces must be left for anybody to take. Therefore, not only do landowners not receive profit from the sales of crops, but also poor people are given an opportunity to collect food. This special giving to the poor can serve as a reminder for the obligation to help the poor all the time, even when the shmita year is over. In many ways this cycle parallels the weekly cycle, which is also comprised of six units of work followed by one of rest. Shmita is even referred to as "Shabbat Shabbaton" (Vayikra 25:4). Both the weekly sabbath and the shmita year serve not only as opportunities for rest, but also as chances to be reminded of what is important.
After seven cycles of seven years (i.e. after 49 years), yovel is observed. At this point, the land is not worked, slaves are freed, and property is returned to its original owners. In a sense, yovel is the culmination of seven shmita cycles. But, As Rabbi Ari Kahn points out, while the shmita and weekly Sabbath cycles parallel one another, there is no obvious parallel to yovel within the Sabbath cycle. However, there does seem to be a connection between Yovel and Yom Kippur as on Yom Kippur of the Jubilee year, the shofar is blown and yovel begins. Additionally, the weekly Sabbath, shmita, and Yom Kippur are seemingly all connected as they are all referred to in the torah as "Shabbat Shabbaton." This may suggest that while Yom Kippur is the ultimate day of atonement, the fact that Yom Kippur shares its name with these other times suggests that they all serve as opportunities for self-reflection, change, and renewal. They are all opportunities to cease the regular routine and to look backwards and forwards.
We are currently in the midst of Sefirat Haomer. During Sefirat Ha'omer we count the seven weeks between Pesach and Shavuot. Therefore, while 7 cycles of 7 years (or 49 years) culminate in yovel, 7 cycles of 7 weeks (or 49 days) culminate in Shavuot. The connection between yovel and Shavuot is highlighted by the opening passage of this week's Parsha. This week’s parsha begins, “And G-d spoke unto Moses in Mount Sinai saying” (Leviticus 25:1). This draws attention to the fact that like the Torah that was given on Shavuot at Mount Sinai, the laws given in this parsha (including those regarding Shmita and Yovel) were given by Mount Sinai.
Not only are there parallels between the times designated as Shavuot and yovel, but also there are parallels in the times that proceed them. Proceeding both are 49 units of time which are passed, noted, and in the case of Sefirat Ha'omer counted in anticipation of the momentous event that is to come. During yovel debts are annulled, slaves are freed, and land is returned to its original owners—all events which allow people to start anew. Similarly, each Shavuot, we celebrate the giving of the Torah and are given a new opportunity to embrace it. Therefore, while yovel and Shavuot may serve as the moments for great change to take place, the days leading up to them may also serve as a time for preparation and anticipation for the new beginning and opportunities to come.
Shabbat Shalom!
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