3,819. Not Changing the Nature of Levite Land

Hilchos Shemittah v’Yoveil 13:4

When it comes to the Levite cities, the actual city may not be changed into open land and the open land may not be made part of the city. This open land may not be turned into fields, nor may the fields be turned into open land. This is derived from Leviticus 25:34: “The fields of the open land of their cities may not be sold.”

Hilchos Shemittah v’Yoveil 13:5

Our oral tradition teaches that “may not be sold” in this verse is understood to mean “may not be converted.” Rather, all three categories of land – the fields, the open areas and the city itself – must always remain in their original status. The same is true of other cities in Israel: the open land may not be changed into fields, nor vice versa. The actual city may not be changed into open land, nor may the open land be made part of the city.