Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Leviticus 25:29 mean?
A: Leviticus 25:29 discusses the laws of redeeming a house sold in a walled city. According to the Torah, if someone sells a house in a walled city, they have the right to buy it back (redeem it) within one full year after the sale. After that year, the sale becomes permanent. This law is part of the broader Torah laws about property rights and redemption found in Parshat Behar.
Q: Why is this law about redeeming houses important?
A: This law is important because it balances the needs of both the seller and buyer. It gives the seller a fair chance to regain their property if their financial situation improves within a year, while also providing stability for the buyer after that period. Rashi explains that this law applies specifically to walled cities from the time of Joshua bin Nun, showing the Torah's concern for maintaining family inheritance and preventing permanent loss of property.
Q: How does this verse apply today?
A: While the specific laws of house redemption don't apply today in the same way (since we don't have the Jubilee year or the same system of walled cities), the principles behind it remain relevant. The Torah teaches about fairness in business, giving people opportunities to recover from financial hardship, and the importance of property rights. The Rambam discusses these laws in Hilchot Mechira to show how Torah laws promote ethical economic practices.
Q: What's the difference between houses in walled cities and other properties regarding redemption?
A: The Talmud (Arachin 32a) explains that houses in walled cities have this one-year redemption rule, while houses in unwalled cities follow the laws of the Jubilee year (returning to original owners every 50 years). This distinction shows the Torah's different treatment of urban versus rural properties. Rashi notes that walled cities had greater permanence in ownership to encourage urban development.
Q: What can we learn from this verse about Jewish values?
A: This verse teaches several key Jewish values: 1) Compassion - giving people time to recover their property, 2) Justice - creating fair business practices with clear time limits, and 3) Responsibility - balancing individual rights with community needs. The Midrash Tanchuma connects these property laws to the broader Torah principle that 'the land is Mine' (Leviticus 25:23), reminding us that ultimately all property belongs to Hashem and we are temporary stewards.
Context in Torah
This verse (Vayikra 25:29) appears in the section of Behar, which details the laws of the Sabbatical (Shemittah) and Jubilee (Yovel) years. The verse discusses the unique laws governing the sale and redemption of a house within a walled city.
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi (Vayikra 25:29) clarifies that this law applies specifically to a beit moshav ir chomah—a residential house within a walled city. He notes that the seller has only one year to redeem the property (ge'ulah). After that, the sale becomes permanent, and the house does not revert to the original owner during the Jubilee year, unlike fields or houses in unwalled cities.
Rambam's Legal Perspective
In Hilchot Shemittah V'Yovel (12:1-3), the Rambam codifies this law, emphasizing that the one-year redemption window is absolute. If the seller fails to redeem within this period, the buyer retains permanent ownership. The Rambam also notes that this law applies only to cities that were walled at the time of Yehoshua bin Nun's conquest of Eretz Yisrael.
Talmudic Discussion
The Gemara (Arachin 32a) elaborates on the definition of a "walled city," stating that it must have had walls during Yehoshua's era, even if they were later destroyed. The Talmud also discusses whether the law applies to houses built after the walls were erected, concluding that it depends on the city's status at the time of Yehoshua.
Midrashic Insight
The Midrash (Torat Kohanim 25:29) connects this law to the broader theme of achdut (unity) in Jewish society. By limiting the redemption period for urban homes, the Torah encourages stability in communal life, preventing constant reversals of property ownership that could disrupt city dwellers.
Practical Implications