3,803. When a Field May Be Redeemed

Hilchos Shemittah v’Yoveil 11:9

If someone sells his field when yoveil is observed, he may not redeem it in under two years. This is derived from Leviticus 25:15: “Based on the number of years of crops he shall sell it to you.” Even if the buyer is willing to return it sooner, this is not permitted, as the verse continues: “Based on the number of years after yoveil you shall buy it from your fellow.” The buyer must hold on to the land for at least two years from the time of the sale.

Hilchos Shemittah v’Yoveil 11:10

During the aforementioned two years, the buyer must benefit from two harvests before the seller can redeem it, as the verse says: “years of crops.” Therefore, if one of the years was shemittah, or a year of hot wind or blight (so that there was no harvest), it doesn’t count towards the necessary two years.