3,753. Paying Workers With Shemittah Money

Hilchos Shemittah v’Yoveil 6:12

Let’s say that someone tells a hired worker, “Here’s an isar;* go gather vegetables for me.” In such a case, the worker’s wages are permitted. They are not considered money received for shemittah produce, so he can use it any way he likes. The worker is not penalized for relying on the linguistic workaround. However, if he was told, “Go gather vegetables for me today in exchange for this isar,” then his wages are considered money received in exchange for shemittah produce, with the result that they may only be used for food and drink, just like shemittah produce.

*A denomination of coin.

Hilchos Shemittah v’Yoveil 6:13

If donkey drivers perform prohibited labor with shemittah produce, such as transporting more than necessary, their wages are considered money received in exchange for shemittah produce. A donkey driver is penalized in this way while a hired hand isn’t because a hired hand doesn’t earn very much. Therefore, a penalty would impede his ability to earn a living.