Sabbatical and Jubilee Cycles

An interesting look at how various laws concerning the Sabbatical and Jubilee years affect economics.

The parshah of Behar opens with the mitzvah of Shemita, the grounding injunction to refrain working the Holy Land’s soil every seven years. This ground-breaking class uncovers treasures buried just beneath the crust of this most unusual biblical commandme...

Learn the foundational principles and central laws of the Sabbatical Year, known as Shemitah, which is a year of rest and release for both land and money.

The Torah specifically links the mitzvah of resting on the Sabbatical year to Mount Sinai. This demonstrates a powerful lesson in the proper approach to work and higher living.

Study the daily lesson of Sefer HaMitzvos for day 145 with Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, where he teaches the mitzvah in-depth with added insight and detail.

Study the daily lesson of Sefer HaMitzvos for day 144 with Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, where he teaches the mitzvah in-depth with added insight and detail.

The agricultural restrictions of the seventh (shemita) year, how it is practiced by Jewish farmers in the Land of Israel today, and how it affects kosher consumers.

Shemitah is a real test of faith, to leave the field fallow the entire year. Yet the words in the verse: "What will we eat during Shemiitah?" is not a question driven by lack of faith.

The Torah addresses the logical question of how will we have food, if we observe Shemitah and don’t work or harvest the field that year. What’s curious is where in the Torah this question is raised.

In the jubilee year, we become free people. Just as clothing embodies identity, the awareness of our divine heritage provides the strength to break free from any form of enslavement.