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Leviticus 25:2 - Land rests like Shabbat?

Leviticus 25:2 - ויקרא 25:2

Hebrew Text

דַּבֵּר אֶל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם כִּי תָבֹאוּ אֶל־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אֲנִי נֹתֵן לָכֶם וְשָׁבְתָה הָאָרֶץ שַׁבָּת לַיהוָה׃

English Translation

Speak to the children of Yisra᾽el, and say to them, When you come to the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a sabbath to the Lord.

Transliteration

Daber el-bnei Yisrael ve'amarta alehem ki tavo'u el-ha'aretz asher ani noten lakhem veshavta ha'aretz Shabbat la'Adonai.

Hebrew Leining Text

דַּבֵּ֞ר אֶל־בְּנֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ אֲלֵהֶ֔ם כִּ֤י תָבֹ֙אוּ֙ אֶל־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲנִ֖י נֹתֵ֣ן לָכֶ֑ם וְשָׁבְתָ֣ה הָאָ֔רֶץ שַׁבָּ֖ת לַיהֹוָֽה׃
דַּבֵּ֞ר אֶל־בְּנֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ אֲלֵהֶ֔ם כִּ֤י תָבֹ֙אוּ֙ אֶל־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲנִ֖י נֹתֵ֣ן לָכֶ֑ם וְשָׁבְתָ֣ה הָאָ֔רֶץ שַׁבָּ֖ת לַיהֹוָֽה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context and Significance

The verse (Vayikra 25:2) introduces the mitzvah of Shemittah (the Sabbatical year), which commands the land of Israel to rest every seventh year. This parallels the weekly Shabbat, emphasizing that just as the Jewish people observe a day of rest, so too must the land. Rashi explains that this mitzvah was given at Har Sinai, like all other commandments, but its practical application was delayed until Bnei Yisrael entered Eretz Yisrael.

The Land's Shabbat

The phrase "וְשָׁבְתָה הָאָרֶץ שַׁבָּת לַיהוָה" ("the land shall keep a sabbath to the Lord") teaches that the land's rest is not merely agricultural but a spiritual obligation. The Ramban (Nachmanides) elaborates that Shemittah is a declaration of faith in Hashem's ownership of the land—by ceasing work, we acknowledge that our sustenance comes from divine providence, not human labor alone.

Connection to Har Sinai

The Sifra (Torat Kohanim) notes that the verse emphasizes "אֲשֶׁר אֲנִי נֹתֵן לָכֶם" ("which I give you") to link Shemittah to Matan Torah. This teaches that the laws of Shemittah, like all mitzvot, are rooted in the covenant at Sinai. The land's sanctity and its obligations are inseparable from the Torah's divine origin.

Practical Halachic Implications

  • Agricultural Prohibitions: The Mishnah (Shevi'it 1:1) lists forbidden labors during Shemittah, including plowing, planting, and harvesting for commercial purposes.
  • Sanctity of Produce: The Talmud (Pesachim 52b) discusses kedushat shevi'it—the holiness of Shemittah produce, which must be consumed respectfully and not wasted.
  • Trust in Hashem: The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 1:1) highlights that observing Shemittah demonstrates emunah, as farmers must rely on Hashem's promise (Vayikra 25:21) to provide a triple bounty in the sixth year.

Broader Theological Themes

The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 84) explains that Shemittah instills humility by reminding us that the land is not ours to exploit indefinitely. It also reinforces social equity, as all produce becomes hefker (ownerless), allowing the poor to gather freely. This reflects the Torah's vision of a just society rooted in divine ethics.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Arakhin 32b
The verse is discussed in the context of the Sabbatical year (Shemittah) and its laws, particularly regarding the cessation of agricultural work in the land of Israel.
📖 Megillah 14a
Referenced in a discussion about the prophets and their messages concerning the land and its Sabbatical years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Leviticus 25:2 mean when it says the land should keep a Sabbath?
A: Leviticus 25:2 introduces the mitzvah of Shemitah (the Sabbatical Year), where the land of Israel must rest every seventh year, just as people observe Shabbat every seventh day. During Shemitah, farming is prohibited, showing our trust in Hashem as the true Provider (Rashi, Rambam Hilchot Shemitah).
Q: Why is the commandment of letting the land rest important?
A: The Shemitah year teaches us that the Land of Israel belongs to Hashem, not to us. By refraining from working the land, we acknowledge His ownership and strengthen our emunah (faith) that He will provide sustenance (Sifra, Ramban on Leviticus 25:2).
Q: Does the law of Shemitah still apply today?
A: Yes, Shemitah remains a Torah obligation in Israel today according to Orthodox Jewish law. The details are complex (e.g., heter mechirah debates), but the basic mitzvah applies when a majority of Jews live in the Land (Rambam Hilchot Shemitah 4:25, Shulchan Aruch HaRav).
Q: What practical lesson can we learn from Shemitah today?
A: Shemitah teaches us to balance material and spiritual life—just as the land needs rest, so do we. It also reminds us to use resources responsibly and trust in Hashem rather than constant productivity (Midrash Torat Kohanim, Kli Yakar).
Q: How is Shemitah connected to Shabbat?
A: Both Shemitah and Shabbat follow a seven-part cycle (days/years), showing that holiness exists in time as well as space. Just as Shabbat sanctifies our week, Shemitah sanctifies our relationship with the Land (Sefer HaChinuch 84, Ramban on Leviticus 25:2).