Observing Yovel

Q. Why is it that today we count the years of Shemitah (7-year cycle), but we do not count the years toward Yovel (50-year cycle)?

A. In a previous Halacha Yomis, we discussed a disagreement between the Rambam and the Ramban as to whether the mitzvah of Shemitah today remains a mitzvah from the Torah, or whether it is a mitzvah derabbanan. However, all agree that the mitzvah of Yovel no longer applies. According to the Torah, the mitzvah of Yovel is only in effect when the land of Israel is divided among the twelve Shevatim. The disagreement between the Rambam and Ramban is only whether we compare Shemitah to Yovel. Tosfos (Gittin 36b s.v. V’tikun) ask why it is that Chazal instituted a Rabbinic Shemitah so the mitzvah should not be forgotten, but not a Rabbinic Yovel. Tosfos answer that it would be too difficult for most people to observe two consecutive years of leaving their fields fallow, and there is a concept that Chazal will not enact a law that most people will find too difficult to observe. The Rambam (Hilchos Shemitah 10:5) writes that since the laws of Yovel are not observed, we do not count the years of Yovel either. Rav Chaim Soloveitchik (Chidushei Reb Chaim - Shemita 10:5) explains that counting the years of Yovel can only be done by the Sanhedrin (the Jewish court that convened in the Beis Hamikdash). Once the Beis Hamikdash was destroyed, it was no longer possible to even count the years of Yovel. Therefore, today we only count the seven-year cycle of Shemitah, and we do not count the fifty-year cycle of Yovel.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.