Pisqa’ 111301H:158-159; JN1:282-283. 1. “At the end of seven years you shall declare a Release-year” (Dt.15:1). Is it possible to say that [Sabbatical year restrictions on field-work apply] either from the beginning of the [seventh] year or at the end of that year [and into the eighth]? Look—you can reason as follows: the term end is mentioned here (Dt.15:1), and the term end is mentioned elsewhere (Dt.31:10). Just as the end mentioned elsewhere refers to the end of the [harvest] year and not to the beginning, so, too, the end mentioned here refers to the end of the year and not to the beginning.
2. “You shall declare a Release-year . . . Every creditor shall release the debt owed him by his kinsman” (Dt.15:1-2)— [therefore,] whenever you are obliged to release [your land], you are obliged to release [monetary debts as well].
“Seven years” (Dt.15:1). Is it possible to say that the seven years [is calculated separately] for each individual debt [from the time of the loan, inclusive of the Sabbatical year]? Look—you can reason as follows: [a land-owner is] obliged to release [ownership of his field’s produce] every seven years; and [a creditor] is obliged [to release all his collectible] loans every seven years. Now, just as the seven years mentioned [in connection with the release] of produce [are calculated] for the entire world [on the same] seven-year schedule [commencing with the first year of the cycle], so, too, the seven years mentioned [in connection with release] from debts [are calculated] for the entire world
[on the same] seven-year schedule, [commencing with the first year of the cycle].302Cf. Mechilta Ishmael, neziqin, Par. 1 Perhaps, we might try this approach: [A slave-owner] is obliged [to release his] Hebrew slave after seven years of servitude, and [a creditor] is obliged [to release his] debts after seven years. Now, just as the seven years mentioned [in connection] with [the term of] the Hebrew slave [are calculated separately] for each individual slave as seven years [from the date of his indenture, including an intervening Release-year], so, too, the seven years mentioned [in connection with release] from debts [should be calculated] for each individual debtor as seven years [from the date of his loan, including an intervening Release-year]!303Cf. Mechilta Ishmael, neziqin, par.1.
3. Now, let’s find a closer analogy! Compare a matter, [like the release of debts,] unaffected by the Jubilee year, to another matter unaffected by the Jubilee year. Clearly, [the release of] the Hebrew slave is not a fruitful comparative example, since [his release] is affected by the Jubilee year [which requires his release from servitude even if his seven-year term is incomplete (Lv.25:40)]!
Or, we might try this approach: Compare a matter [like the release of debts], practiced both in the Land and beyond the Land, to another matter practiced both in the Land and beyond the Land! Clearly, the release of land is not a fruitful comparative example, since it is practiced only in the Land!304Cf. Sifra, behar, per. 2:4.
The Teaching states: “Seven years” (Dt.15:1) and “the Seventh year” (Dt.15:9)— this [repetition] permits an analogical inference: Just as the seven years mentioned with regard to the release [of land] [is calculated] for the entire world [on the same] seven year schedule, [commencing with the first year of the cycle], so, too, the Seventh year mentioned with regard to debts, [is calculated] for the entire world [on the same] seven year schedule [commencing with the first year of the cycle].
4. R. Yose the Galilean says: Indeed, He says: “Be careful lest you say: the Seventh year is drawing near—the Release-year!” (Dt.15:9) If the Seventh year is calculated [separately] for each individual, how can the Seventh year draw near [for everyone all at once]? From this you may conclude that [the Seventh year is calculated] for the entire world [on the same] seven year schedule [commencing with the first year of the cycle]!305Cf. Pisqa’ 117.2.
Is it possible to say that the release of debts was practiced in the wasteland [before entering the Land]? The Teaching states: “You shall declare a Release-year . . . Every creditor shall release the debt owed him by his kinsman” (Dt.15:1-2)— [even before entering the Land].
Or [it might be argued]— He says: “You shall declare a Release-year . . . Every creditor shall release the debt owed him by his kinsman” (Dt.15:1-2)— [now this is] only in reference to the Land of Israel, where you are able to declare a Release-year [for produce of the field]. [Therefore,] you may also declare a Release-year for debts. [But] beyond the Land, where you cannot declare a Release-year for the Land, neither may you declare a Release-year for debts.
The Teaching states: “For you have declared a Release-year of HASHEM” (Dt.15:2)— [the Release-year may be declared] either in the Land or beyond the Land!306Cf. T. Qid.1:12.
(דברים טו א) מִקֵּץ שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים, יָכוֹל מִתְּחִלַּת הַשָּׁנָה אוֹ בְּסוֹפָהּ? הֲרֵי אַתְּ דָּן: נֶאֱמַר כָּאן ״קֵץ״ וְנֶאֱמַר לְהַלָּן (דברים לא י) ״קֵץ״, מָה קֵץ הָאָמוּר לְהַלָּן בְּסוֹפָהּ וְלֹא בִּתְחִלָּתָהּ – אַף קֵץ הָאָמוּר כָּאן בְּסוֹפָהּ וְלֹא בִּתְחִלָּתָהּ.
Pisqa’ 111301H:158-159; JN1:282-283.
1. “At the end of seven years you shall declare a Release-year” (Dt.15:1).
Is it possible to say that
[Sabbatical year restrictions on field-work apply]
either from the beginning of the [seventh] year
or at the end of that year [and into the eighth]?
Look—you can reason as follows:
the term end is mentioned here (Dt.15:1),
and the term end is mentioned elsewhere (Dt.31:10).
Just as the end mentioned elsewhere
refers to the end of the [harvest] year
and not to the beginning,
so, too, the end mentioned here
refers to the end of the year
and not to the beginning.
(דברים טו א-ב) תַּעֲשֶׂה שְׁמִטָּה... שָׁמוֹט – כָּל זְמַן שֶׁיֵּשׁ לְךָ שְׁמִטָּה אַתָּה מְשַׁמֵּט.
2. “You shall declare a Release-year . . . Every creditor shall release the debt
owed him by his kinsman” (Dt.15:1-2)—
[therefore,] whenever you are obliged to release [your land],
you are obliged to release [monetary debts as well].
שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים, יָכוֹל שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים לְכָל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד? הֲרֵי אַתָּה דָן: חִיֵּיב שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים בִּשְׁמִטָּה, וְחִיֵּיב שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים בְּמִלְוָה. מָה שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים הָאָמוּר בִּשְׁמִטָּה, שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים לְכָל הָעוֹלָם – אַף שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים הָאָמוּר בְּמִלְוָה, שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים לְכָל הָעוֹלָם.
“Seven years” (Dt.15:1).
Is it possible to say that
the seven years [is calculated separately] for each individual debt
[from the time of the loan, inclusive of the Sabbatical year]?
Look—you can reason as follows:
[a land-owner is] obliged to release
[ownership of his field’s produce] every seven years;
and [a creditor] is obliged
[to release all his collectible] loans every seven years.
Now, just as the seven years mentioned
[in connection with the release] of produce
[are calculated] for the entire world
[on the same] seven-year schedule
[commencing with the first year of the cycle],
so, too, the seven years mentioned
[in connection with release] from debts
[are calculated] for the entire world
אוֹ כַּלֵּךְ לְדֶרֶךְ זוֹ: חִיֵּיב שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים בְּעֶבֶד עִבְרִי וְחִיֵּיב שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים בְּמִלְוָה, מָה שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים הָאָמוּר בְּעֶבֶד עִבְרִי שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים לְכָל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד, אַף שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים הָאָמוּר בְּמִלְוָה שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים לְכָל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד!
[on the same] seven-year schedule,
[commencing with the first year of the cycle].302Cf. Mechilta Ishmael, neziqin, Par. 1
Perhaps, we might try this approach:
[A slave-owner] is obliged [to release his]
Hebrew slave after seven years of servitude,
and [a creditor] is obliged
[to release his] debts after seven years.
Now, just as the seven years mentioned
[in connection] with [the term of] the Hebrew slave
[are calculated separately] for each individual slave
as seven years [from the date of his indenture,
including an intervening Release-year],
so, too, the seven years mentioned
[in connection with release] from debts
[should be calculated] for each individual debtor
as seven years [from the date of his loan,
including an intervening Release-year]!303Cf. Mechilta Ishmael, neziqin, par.1.
נִרְאֶה לְמִי דוֹמֶה: דָּנִים דָּבָר שֶׁאֵינוֹ תָּלוּי בַּיּוֹבֵל מִדָּבָר שֶׁאֵינוֹ תָּלוּי בַּיּוֹבֵל, וְאַל יוֹכִיחַ עֶבֶד עִבְרִי, שֶׁתָּלוּי בַּיּוֹבֵל.
3. Now, let’s find a closer analogy!
Compare a matter, [like the release of debts,]
unaffected by the Jubilee year,
to another matter
unaffected by the Jubilee year.
Clearly, [the release of] the Hebrew slave
is not a fruitful comparative example,
since [his release] is affected by the Jubilee year
[which requires his release from servitude
even if his seven-year term is incomplete (Lv.25:40)]!
אוֹ כַּלֵּךְ לְדֶרֶךְ זוֹ: דָּנִים דָּבָר שֶׁנּוֹהֵג בָּאָרֶץ וּבְחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ מִדָּבָר שֶׁנּוֹהֵג בָּאָרֶץ וּבְחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ, וְאַל יוֹכִיחַ הֶשְׁמֵט קַרְקַע, שֶׁאֵין נוֹהֵג אֶלָּא בָּאָרֶץ!
Or, we might try this approach:
Compare a matter [like the release of debts],
practiced both in the Land and beyond the Land,
to another matter
practiced both in the Land and beyond the Land!
Clearly, the release of land
is not a fruitful comparative example, since it is practiced only in the Land!304Cf. Sifra, behar, per. 2:4.
תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים״ ״שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים״ לִגְזֵרָה שָׁוָה: מָה שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים הָאָמוּר בִּשְׁמִטָּה, שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים לְכָל הָעוֹלָם – אַף שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים הָאָמוּר בְּמִלְוָה, שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים לְכָל הָעוֹלָם.
The Teaching states:
“Seven years” (Dt.15:1) and “the Seventh year” (Dt.15:9)—
this [repetition] permits an analogical inference:
Just as the seven years
mentioned with regard to the release [of land]
[is calculated] for the entire world
[on the same] seven year schedule,
[commencing with the first year of the cycle],
so, too, the Seventh year mentioned with regard to debts,
[is calculated] for the entire world
[on the same] seven year schedule
[commencing with the first year of the cycle].
רַבִּי יוֹסֵי הַגְּלִילִי אוֹמֵר: הֲרֵי הוּא אוֹמֵר (דברים טו ט) ״קָרְבָה שְׁנַת הַשֶּׁבַע שְׁנַת הַשְּׁמִטָּה״, אִם שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים לְכָל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד – הֵיאַךְ הִיא קְרוֹבָה? אֱמוֹר מֵעַתָּה: שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים לְכָל הָעוֹלָם!
4. R. Yose the Galilean says:
Indeed, He says:
“Be careful lest you say: the Seventh year is drawing near—the Release-year!” (Dt.15:9) If the Seventh year is calculated [separately] for each individual,
how can the Seventh year draw near [for everyone all at once]?
From this you may conclude that
[the Seventh year is calculated] for the entire world
[on the same] seven year schedule
[commencing with the first year of the cycle]!305Cf. Pisqa’ 117.2.
יָכוֹל יְהֵא הֶשְׁמֵט מִלְוָה נוֹהֵג בַּמִּדְבָּר? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר (דברים טו א-ב): תַּעֲשֶׂה שְׁמִטָּה... שָׁמוֹט,
Is it possible to say that
the release of debts was practiced
in the wasteland [before entering the Land]?
The Teaching states:
“You shall declare a Release-year . . . Every creditor shall release the debt
owed him by his kinsman” (Dt.15:1-2)—
[even before entering the Land].
אוֹ אֵינוֹ אוֹמֵר (דברים טו א-ב) תַּעֲשֶׂה שְׁמִטָּה... שָׁמוֹט – אֶלָּא בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁאַתָּה עוֹשֶׂה שְׁמִטָּה לָאָרֶץ – אַתָּה מְשַׁמֵּט [מִלְוָה], בְּחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ שֶׁאִי אַתְּ עוֹשֶׂה שְׁמִטָּה לָאָרֶץ – אֵין אַתְּ מְשַׁמֵּט מִלְוָה?
Or [it might be argued]— He says:
“You shall declare a Release-year . . . Every creditor shall release the debt
owed him by his kinsman” (Dt.15:1-2)—
[now this is] only in reference to the Land of Israel,
where you are able to declare a Release-year [for produce of the field].
[Therefore,] you may also declare a Release-year for debts.
[But] beyond the Land,
where you cannot declare a Release-year for the Land,
neither may you declare a Release-year for debts.
תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר (דברים טו ב): ״כִּי קָרָא שְׁמִטָּה לַה׳״, בֵּין בָּאָרֶץ וּבֵין בְּחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ.
The Teaching states:
“For you have declared a Release-year of HASHEM” (Dt.15:2)—
[the Release-year may be declared] either
in the Land or beyond the Land! 306Cf. T. Qid.1:12.