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Leviticus 26:34 - Land rests during exile.

Leviticus 26:34 - ויקרא 26:34

Hebrew Text

אָז תִּרְצֶה הָאָרֶץ אֶת־שַׁבְּתֹתֶיהָ כֹּל יְמֵי הֳשַׁמָּה וְאַתֶּם בְּאֶרֶץ אֹיְבֵיכֶם אָז תִּשְׁבַּת הָאָרֶץ וְהִרְצָת אֶת־שַׁבְּתֹתֶיהָ׃

English Translation

Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lies desolate, and you are in your enemies’ land; then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths.

Transliteration

Az tirzeh ha'aretz et-shabtoteha kol yemei hashama ve'atem be'eretz oyveichem az tishbat ha'aretz vehirtzat et-shabtoteha.

Hebrew Leining Text

אָז֩ תִּרְצֶ֨ה הָאָ֜רֶץ אֶת־שַׁבְּתֹתֶ֗יהָ כֹּ֚ל יְמֵ֣י הׇשַּׁמָּ֔הֿ וְאַתֶּ֖ם בְּאֶ֣רֶץ אֹיְבֵיכֶ֑ם אָ֚ז תִּשְׁבַּ֣ת הָאָ֔רֶץ וְהִרְצָ֖ת אֶת־שַׁבְּתֹתֶֽיהָ׃
אָז֩ תִּרְצֶ֨ה הָאָ֜רֶץ אֶת־שַׁבְּתֹתֶ֗יהָ כֹּ֚ל יְמֵ֣י הׇשַּׁמָּ֔הֿ וְאַתֶּ֖ם בְּאֶ֣רֶץ אֹיְבֵיכֶ֑ם אָ֚ז תִּשְׁבַּ֣ת הָאָ֔רֶץ וְהִרְצָ֖ת אֶת־שַׁבְּתֹתֶֽיהָ׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

The verse (Vayikra 26:34) appears in the Tochacha (Rebuke), where Hashem warns of the consequences of failing to observe the mitzvos, particularly the neglect of the Shemittah (Sabbatical year). Rashi explains that the land will "enjoy its Sabbaths" by lying fallow during the exile, compensating for the 70 Shemittah years that Bnei Yisrael failed to observe during their 490-year tenure in Eretz Yisrael (based on Divrei Hayamim II 36:21).

The Concept of Shemittah

Rambam (Hilchot Shemittah V’Yovel 10:8-11) elaborates that Shemittah is not merely an agricultural law but a spiritual discipline—affirming Hashem’s ownership of the land. When Bnei Yisrael disregard this, the land "forces" its rest through exile. The Sforno adds that the desolation is not punitive but restorative, allowing the land to spiritually recharge from years of misuse.

Midrashic Insights

  • Vayikra Rabbah (35:1): Compares the land to a loyal servant deprived of rightful rest. When denied Shemittah, it "protests" by expelling its inhabitants until it receives its due.
  • Talmud (Avodah Zarah 9a): Calculates the 70-year Babylonian exile as rectifying 70 missed Shemittah cycles, emphasizing divine precision in justice.

Exile as Rectification

The Kli Yakar highlights the parallel between the land resting and Bnei Yisrael dwelling "in their enemies’ land." Just as the land atones through rest, the people atone through displacement, ultimately leading to renewal. This mirrors the Shabbat cycle—labor followed by sanctified rest—applied nationally.

Contemporary Implications

Rav Kook (Orot HaTeshuvah 9:7) interprets this dynamically: Exile is not merely punishment but a cosmic recalibration. The land’s forced rest mirrors the soul’s need for introspection during hardship, preparing for eventual redemption. The Chatam Sofer adds that observing Shemittah today—even mid’rabbanan—honors this covenant, preventing future exile.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Arakhin 32b
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws concerning the Sabbatical year (Shemittah) and the Jubilee year (Yovel), emphasizing the land's rest during periods of desolation.
📖 Megillah 14a
Referenced in a discussion about the prophets and their messages regarding the consequences of not observing the Sabbatical years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does it mean that the land will 'enjoy her Sabbaths' in Leviticus 26:34?
A: According to Rashi and traditional Jewish sources, this verse refers to the concept of 'Shemittah'—the Sabbatical year when the land must rest from agricultural work every seventh year (Leviticus 25:1-7). If the Jewish people neglect this mitzvah, the land will 'enjoy' its Sabbaths forcibly during exile, as it lies desolate.
Q: Why is this verse important in Jewish tradition?
A: This verse serves as a warning about the consequences of neglecting Torah commandments, particularly Shemittah. The Talmud (Avodah Zarah 9a) and Rambam (Hilchot Shemittah 10:3-4) explain that exile and desolation of the land are direct results of failing to observe these laws. It emphasizes the deep connection between the Jewish people, the Land of Israel, and divine commandments.
Q: How does this verse apply today?
A: Today, when the Jewish people are back in the Land of Israel, the mitzvah of Shemittah is observed strictly by religious farmers. The verse reminds us of the importance of keeping this commandment to maintain our bond with the land and avoid past mistakes. Contemporary halachic authorities discuss modern applications of Shemittah in agriculture (see Mishnah Berurah, Biur Halachah).
Q: What does 'you are in your enemies’ land' refer to?
A: This refers to the Babylonian exile, as explained in 2 Chronicles 36:21 and the Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 35:10). When the Jewish people were exiled for 70 years, it corresponded to 70 Shemittah cycles they had neglected. The verse teaches that exile is a corrective measure to 'repay' the missed Sabbatical years.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Leviticus 26:34?
A: The verse teaches that the Land of Israel has a spiritual dimension—it 'needs' its Sabbaths just as we do. The Sages (Sifra Bechukotai 3) derive from this that our relationship with the land is conditional on observing Torah. It’s a timeless lesson about responsibility, consequences, and the holiness inherent in the land.