Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Leviticus 25:50 mean?
A: Leviticus 25:50 discusses the laws of a Jewish indentured servant (not to be confused with slavery as understood in other contexts). It explains that if a person sells themselves into servitude due to financial hardship, the 'buyer' must calculate the years remaining until the Yovel (Jubilee) year. The servant is to be treated like a hired worker, and their 'price' is adjusted based on how many years remain until Yovel, when they automatically go free. This ensures fairness and limits the duration of servitude.
Q: Why is the Yovel (Jubilee) year important in this verse?
A: The Yovel year, which occurs every 50 years, is crucial because it represents a reset in Jewish society—land returns to its original owners, and indentured servants go free. Leviticus 25:50 emphasizes that servitude is temporary, lasting only until Yovel. This reflects the Torah's value of freedom and dignity, ensuring no one remains permanently bound in servitude (Rashi on Leviticus 25:10; Rambam, Hilchos Avadim 2:2-3).
Q: How does this verse apply today?
A: While the laws of Yovel and indentured servitude are not currently practiced (due to the absence of the Temple and full Jewish settlement in Israel), the principles remain relevant. The verse teaches about fair labor practices, the temporary nature of financial struggles, and the importance of societal structures that prevent permanent inequality. Many learn from this the ethical obligation to help others regain financial independence (see Rambam, Hilchos Matnos Aniyim 10:7).
Q: Why does the Torah compare the servant to a 'hired worker'?
A: The comparison to a hired worker (שָׂכִיר) teaches that the servant must be treated with dignity and paid fairly for their labor. Unlike a slave, their time is valued, and they cannot be overworked or mistreated. Rashi (on Leviticus 25:50) explains that this prevents exploitation, ensuring the servant is seen as a temporary employee, not property. The Talmud (Kiddushin 15a) further discusses the rights and protections such workers have.
Q: What is the significance of calculating the years until Yovel?
A: Calculating the years until Yovel ensures fairness in the transaction. If someone becomes a servant close to Yovel, their 'price' is lower because their service is shorter. This system discourages long-term dependency and reinforces that servitude is a temporary solution, not a permanent status. The Sifra (a halachic Midrash on Leviticus) emphasizes that this calculation reflects the Torah's compassion, preventing anyone from being trapped indefinitely in hardship.
Context in Vayikra (Leviticus)
The verse (Vayikra 25:50) discusses the laws of an eved Ivri (Hebrew indentured servant) who was sold due to financial hardship. The Torah mandates a fair calculation for his redemption, prorating the cost based on the remaining years until the Yovel (Jubilee year).
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi explains that the verse teaches the method of calculating the redemption price. The servant's original sale price is divided by the total years from the time of sale until Yovel. The redemption amount is then determined by multiplying the per-year value by the remaining years until Yovel. For example, if he was sold for 50 shekels with 25 years until Yovel, each year is valued at 2 shekels. If he seeks redemption after 10 years, he pays 30 shekels (15 remaining years × 2 shekels/year).
Rambam's Legal Perspective
In Hilchos Avadim (Laws of Servants 2:9), the Rambam codifies this principle, emphasizing that the redemption follows the same calculation whether the servant redeems himself or a relative redeems him. The price must be adjusted fairly, treating the servant's labor like a hired worker's wages rather than an absolute sale of his person.
Talmudic Analysis (Kiddushin 14b)
The Talmud derives from this verse that an eved Ivri is not truly "owned" but rather works under a temporary contract. The phrase "כִּימֵי שָׂכִיר" ("like the days of a hired worker") underscores that his status is akin to an employee, not a permanent slave. This aligns with the Torah's broader emphasis on human dignity and the temporary nature of servitude.
Midrashic Insight (Toras Kohanim)
The Toras Kohanim highlights the ethical dimension: the buyer must not exploit the servant by charging an unfair redemption price. The calculation ensures equity, reflecting the Torah's concern for justice in financial relationships. It also notes that this law applies only to an eved Ivri sold by Beis Din (court) for theft, not to one who voluntarily sold himself.
Key Principles