335. Strangely Familiar: The prohibition against gathering fruit during the Jubilee

The mitzvos of Yoveil (Jubilee) continue to parallel those of Shemittah (Sabbatical); this mitzvah corresponds to Mitzvah #329. As is the case there, fruit may only be gathered in such a way that it is clear that we do not consider ourselves masters of the land. This would include not using tools specially designed for the task.

The reason, as with all of these mitzvos, is to remind us that our produce comes from God, not from our own efforts. The land is His; He just permits us to benefit from it.

This mitzvah only applies in Israel at a time when all the Tribes reside there. It is discussed in the Midrash in the Sifre on this parsha. This mitzvah is codified in the Mishneh Torah in the tenth chapter of Hilchos Shemittah and is #226 of the 365 negative mitzvos in the Rambam’s Sefer HaMitzvos.