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Leviticus 25:28 - Jubilee restores ancestral land

Leviticus 25:28 - ויקרא 25:28

Hebrew Text

וְאִם לֹא־מָצְאָה יָדוֹ דֵּי הָשִׁיב לוֹ וְהָיָה מִמְכָּרוֹ בְּיַד הַקֹּנֶה אֹתוֹ עַד שְׁנַת הַיּוֹבֵל וְיָצָא בַּיֹּבֵל וְשָׁב לַאֲחֻזָּתוֹ׃

English Translation

But if his means do not suffice to regain it, then that which is sold shall remain in the hand of him who has bought it until the year of jubilee: and in the jubilee it shall go out, and he shall return to his possession.

Transliteration

Ve'im lo-matz'a yado dei hashiv lo ve'haya mimkaro b'yad hakone oto ad shnat hayovel veyatza bayovel veshav la'achuzato.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאִ֨ם לֹֽא־מָצְאָ֜ה יָד֗וֹ דֵּי֮ הָשִׁ֣יב לוֹ֒ וְהָיָ֣ה מִמְכָּר֗וֹ בְּיַד֙ הַקֹּנֶ֣ה אֹת֔וֹ עַ֖ד שְׁנַ֣ת הַיּוֹבֵ֑ל וְיָצָא֙ בַּיֹּבֵ֔ל וְשָׁ֖ב לַאֲחֻזָּתֽוֹ׃ <span class="mam-spi-samekh">{ס}</span>        
וְאִ֨ם לֹֽא־מָצְאָ֜ה יָד֗וֹ דֵּי֮ הָשִׁ֣יב לוֹ֒ וְהָיָ֣ה מִמְכָּר֗וֹ בְּיַד֙ הַקֹּנֶ֣ה אֹת֔וֹ עַ֖ד שְׁנַ֣ת הַיּוֹבֵ֑ל וְיָצָא֙ בַּיֹּבֵ֔ל וְשָׁ֖ב לַאֲחֻזָּתֽוֹ׃ {ס}        

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Parasha Commentary

Context in Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:25-28

This verse appears in the Torah portion of Behar, which details the laws of land redemption and the Yovel (Jubilee) year. The passage discusses a scenario where an individual is forced to sell his ancestral land due to financial hardship but lacks the means to redeem it before Yovel.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Vayikra 25:28) explains that if the seller cannot gather sufficient funds to repurchase his land, the buyer retains possession only until the Yovel year. At that point, the land returns to its original owner without payment, as the Torah states: "he shall return to his possession." Rashi emphasizes that this law applies specifically to ancestral land (אחוזתו) within the tribal territories of Israel.

Rambam's Halachic Perspective

In Hilchot Shemitah V'Yovel (11:1), the Rambam codifies this law, stating that all ancestral lands sold return to their original owners at Yovel, regardless of the buyer's wishes. He notes this as one of the unique properties of Eretz Yisrael - that land cannot be permanently alienated from its tribal inheritance.

Talmudic Analysis (Kiddushin 21a)

The Talmud discusses how this law demonstrates that land sales in Israel are effectively long-term leases rather than permanent transfers. The Sages derive from the phrase "בְיַד הַקֹּנֶה" (in the hand of the buyer) that the purchaser only acquires temporary rights of usage until Yovel.

Midrashic Insights (Torat Kohanim 25:7)

The Torat Kohanim connects this law to the broader theme of divine ownership: "The land shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine" (Vayikra 25:23). This teaches that while humans may engage in temporary economic transactions, ultimate ownership remains with Hashem, who established the Yovel system to maintain equitable distribution.

Practical Implications

  • The law applies only to ancestral lands within tribal territories, not to property in walled cities (as per Vayikra 25:29-30)
  • Even if multiple sales occur, the land always reverts to the original family at Yovel
  • This system prevented permanent poverty by ensuring every family could regain their economic base

Spiritual Message

The Seforno explains that these laws teach trust in Hashem's providence - even when facing financial difficulties that force land sales, one can rely on the Yovel system to restore what was lost. This reflects the ideal that in Eretz Yisrael, material possessions are temporary, while our spiritual connection to the land is eternal.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Arakhin 29b
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws of the Jubilee year, particularly regarding the return of property to its original owner.
📖 Bava Batra 79b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the sale of property and the conditions under which it can be reclaimed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Leviticus 25:28 mean?
A: Leviticus 25:28 discusses the laws of the Jubilee year (Yovel) in the Torah. If a person becomes poor and is forced to sell their ancestral land but cannot afford to buy it back, the land remains with the buyer only until the Jubilee year. At that time, the land automatically returns to its original owner. This ensures that no family permanently loses their inheritance in the Land of Israel.
Q: Why is the Jubilee year important in this verse?
A: The Jubilee year (Yovel) is important because it reinforces the idea that the Land of Israel ultimately belongs to Hashem, and He has allotted it to each tribe and family. The return of land during Yovel prevents permanent poverty and maintains social justice, ensuring that no family is permanently deprived of their ancestral portion (Rashi on Leviticus 25:23).
Q: What can we learn from Leviticus 25:28 today?
A: This verse teaches us about divine justice and compassion. Even if someone falls into hardship and loses their property, Hashem provides a system (the Jubilee year) to restore their inheritance. Today, we learn the importance of fairness, helping those in need, and trusting in Hashem’s plan for economic and social balance (Rambam, Hilchot Shemita v’Yovel 10:8).
Q: Does the Jubilee law still apply today?
A: The laws of the Jubilee year are currently not in practice because they depend on all the tribes of Israel living in their ancestral portions in the Land of Israel, as well as the Sanhedrin’s declaration of the Yovel. However, the ethical lessons—such as caring for the poor and recognizing Hashem’s ownership of the land—remain timeless (Talmud, Arachin 32b).
Q: Why does the land return to its original owner in the Jubilee?
A: The land returns to its original owner because, according to the Torah, the Land of Israel was divided among the tribes and families as an eternal inheritance. The Jubilee ensures that no sale is permanent, reinforcing the idea that the land is a sacred trust from Hashem, not a commodity to be bought and sold indefinitely (Midrash Torat Kohanim on Leviticus 25:23).