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Sheviis 5:7-8

Sheviis 5:7

A potter may sell someone five oil jars and 15 wine jars in the sabbatical year because this represents a normal quantity for one who gathers ownerless produce. If he took more than this, it is excessive but permitted. The potter may sell a greater quantity of jars in Israel to a non-Jew (to whom the sabbatical does not apply) or to a Jew outside of Israel (where the sabbatical does not apply).

Sheviis 5:8

If someone is suspected of not observing the sabbatical, Beis Shammai say that he may not be sold a plow cow that year. (A plow cow doesn’t give milk.) Beis Hillel permit it because the cow doesn’t have to be used for plowing; it could be slaughtered for food. One may sell him produce even at planting time (because it will likely be eaten and not used for planting). One may lend him a seah measure even if he is known to have a threshing floor and one can make change for him even if he is known to have workers (because the measure and the money could be used for purposes other than violating the sabbatical). If he states outright that he wants these things for prohibited purposes, it is forbidden to assist him.

Author: Rabbi Jack Abramowitz