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Leviticus 25:30 - Eternal ownership in walled cities?

Leviticus 25:30 - ויקרא 25:30

Hebrew Text

וְאִם לֹא־יִגָּאֵל עַד־מְלֹאת לוֹ שָׁנָה תְמִימָה וְקָם הַבַּיִת אֲשֶׁר־בָּעִיר אֲשֶׁר־לא [לוֹ] חֹמָה לַצְּמִיתֻת לַקֹּנֶה אֹתוֹ לְדֹרֹתָיו לֹא יֵצֵא בַּיֹּבֵל׃

English Translation

And if it be not redeemed within the space of a full year, then the house that is in the walled city shall become the permanent property of him that bought it throughout his generations: it shall not go out in the jubilee.

Transliteration

Ve-im lo-yiga'al ad-melot lo shana temima vekam habayit asher-ba'ir asher-lo choma latzmitut lakone oto ledorotav lo yetze bayovel

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאִ֣ם לֹֽא־יִגָּאֵ֗ל עַד־מְלֹ֣את לוֹ֮ שָׁנָ֣ה תְמִימָה֒ וְ֠קָ֠ם הַבַּ֨יִת אֲשֶׁר־בָּעִ֜יר אֲשֶׁר־<span class="mam-kq"><span class="mam-kq-q">[ל֣וֹ]</span> <span class="mam-kq-k">(לא)</span></span> חֹמָ֗ה לַצְּמִיתֻ֛ת לַקֹּנֶ֥ה אֹת֖וֹ לְדֹרֹתָ֑יו לֹ֥א יֵצֵ֖א בַּיֹּבֵֽל׃
וְאִ֣ם לֹֽא־יִגָּאֵ֗ל עַד־מְלֹ֣את לוֹ֮ שָׁנָ֣ה תְמִימָה֒ וְ֠קָ֠ם הַבַּ֨יִת אֲשֶׁר־בָּעִ֜יר אֲשֶׁר־[ל֣וֹ] (לא) חֹמָ֗ה לַצְּמִיתֻ֛ת לַקֹּנֶ֥ה אֹת֖וֹ לְדֹרֹתָ֑יו לֹ֥א יֵצֵ֖א בַּיֹּבֵֽל׃

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Parasha Commentary

Overview of the Verse

The verse (Vayikra 25:30) discusses the laws of property redemption in a walled city. If a house in such a city is not redeemed within a full year of its sale, it becomes the permanent possession of the buyer and does not revert to the original owner during the Yovel (Jubilee) year. This law contrasts with houses in unwalled cities or fields, which return to their original owners during Yovel.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the phrase "שָׁנָה תְמִימָה" (a full year) means twelve months from the day of sale, not a calendar year. He emphasizes that the buyer acquires permanent ownership only if the original owner fails to redeem the property within this specified time frame. Rashi also notes that this law applies exclusively to houses within walled cities, as unwalled cities follow different redemption rules.

Rambam's Explanation

In Hilchot Shemittah V'Yovel (11:7), the Rambam codifies this law, stating that the permanent transfer of ownership after one year is unique to walled cities. He clarifies that this rule applies even if the buyer later sells the house to another person—the original owner cannot reclaim it after the year has passed. The Rambam also links this law to the broader principles of property rights and social stability in Jewish law.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash (Torat Kohanim) connects this law to the deeper spiritual concept of ir miklat (cities of refuge). Just as a murderer finds permanent refuge in an ir miklat, a house in a walled city becomes a permanent possession if not redeemed. This comparison highlights the Torah's emphasis on stability and permanence in certain legal and spiritual contexts.

Key Halachic Points

  • The one-year redemption period is strict and cannot be extended.
  • This law applies only to houses within cities that were walled at the time of Yehoshua's conquest of Eretz Yisrael.
  • Unlike fields or unwalled properties, these houses do not return to their original owners during Yovel.
  • The buyer's acquisition is absolute, passing to his heirs indefinitely.

Practical Implications

This law underscores the Torah's balance between individual property rights and communal welfare. By allowing permanent ownership in walled cities, the Torah encourages urban stability and investment, while still providing a limited window for redemption to protect the original owner's interests.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Leviticus 25:30 mean about houses in walled cities?
A: Leviticus 25:30 teaches that if a person sells a house in a walled city and does not redeem (buy back) it within one full year, the sale becomes permanent. Unlike other properties, it does not return to the original owner during the Yovel (Jubilee) year. Rashi explains that this law applies specifically to houses within cities that had walls at the time of Joshua's conquest of Israel.
Q: Why does this verse treat houses in walled cities differently from other properties?
A: The Talmud (Arachin 32a) explains that houses in walled cities have a different status because they are more secure and valuable due to their fortifications. The Torah gives the buyer permanent ownership after one year to encourage investment in these cities and ensure stability in urban areas. Rambam (Hilchot Shemitta V'Yovel 12:1) also notes that this law reflects the unique nature of walled city properties.
Q: How does the Yovel (Jubilee) year affect houses in walled cities?
A: According to Leviticus 25:30, houses in walled cities that are not redeemed within one year do not return to the original owner during the Yovel year. This is an exception to the general rule where land and properties revert to their ancestral owners at Yovel. The Midrash (Torat Kohanim) emphasizes that this law highlights the distinction between urban and rural properties in Jewish law.
Q: What practical lesson can we learn from Leviticus 25:30 today?
A: This verse teaches the importance of acting within designated timeframes, as the one-year window for redemption is strict. Additionally, it shows the Torah's wisdom in balancing individual property rights with communal needs—encouraging stability in cities while preserving ancestral land rights elsewhere. The Chofetz Chaim taught that such laws remind us of divine ownership and our responsibility in financial matters.