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Shevi’i if connected to Behar
- Ancestral Field: One who donates his ancestral field to Hashem, its value is to be 50 silver Shekel per every area of land that a Chomer of barley can be sowed. Now, if the field was donated by the start of the Yovel, then the above is its value. However, if it was donated after the Yovel, then the Kohen is to sell it based on the amount of years remaining until the Yovel and subtract it from its total value. If the original owner desires to redeem it, he is to add an extra 20% to its value and it shall then be his. If the owner does not redeem his field and it is sold to another, it may no longer be redeemed. It becomes the property of the Kohen when the Yovel arrives.
- Purchased Field: One who donates his purchased field to Hashem, its value [of redemption] is to be based on the amount of years remaining until the Yovel. That sum is to be given as Hekdish to Hashem. In the Yovel year that field is to return to its original owner.
- Bechor Beheima: A firstborn from one’s livestock, ox or sheep is not to be sanctified as it belongs to Hashem. One is not to sanctify a Bechor to the Temple. If the animal is impure, it is to be redeemed according to its value, and if the owner desires to redeem it, he is to add 20% to its price.
- Cherem: All property that will be declared segregated to Hashem, whether from an animal or field, is not to be sold or redeemed. It is a Kodesh Kodoshim for Hashem.
- Person in Cherem: Any person that was put in Cherem (by the court for punishment) may not be redeemed, he is put to death.
- Maaser Rishon:
- All tithes from produce of the land and fruits of the tree are holy to Hashem. If one redeems it, he must add 20% to its value.
- Maaser Behemos:
- The 10th animal of cattle or flock which passes under the staff is to be consecrated to Hashem.
- It is forbidden to switch a Karban to a different animal, whether good to bad or bad to good. If one went ahead and did so, then it and its substitute shall be holy, and shall not be redeemed.
- These are the Mitzvos that Hashem commanded Moshe to teach the Jewish people on Mount Sinai.
📘 Rashi Q&A — Vayikra 27:16–34
27:16 — Consecrating an Inherited Field
Q1. How is the value of a consecrated inherited field determined?
A: According to its capacity for sowing, not monetary worth:
Every area that can be sown with a chomer (kor) of barley seed is valued at 50 shekels of silver.
Q2. Does field quality affect the valuation?
A: No. Whether the field is good or poor, its valuation is fixed by Torah decree.
Q3. When does the full 50‑shekel valuation apply?
A: When the field is redeemed at the beginning of the Jubilee cycle.
27:17 — Immediately After Jubilee
Q4. What does “מִשְּׁנַת הַיֹּבֵל” mean?
A: If the field is consecrated immediately after a Jubilee year and redeemed immediately.
Q5. What valuation applies in that case?
A: The full valuation of 50 shekels per sowing‑unit applies.
27:18 — Redeeming During the Cycle
Q6. What happens if the field is redeemed later in the Jubilee cycle?
A: The priest prorates the valuation according to the remaining years until Jubilee.
Q7. How is the yearly rate calculated?
A:
- The Torah sets 49 years at 50 shekels
- This equals one sela and one pundion per year
- One pundion is deducted overall as a treasury exchange premium
Q8. What does “וְנִגְרַע מֵעֶרְכֶּךָ” mean?
A: The value of the elapsed years since the last Jubilee is deducted.
27:19 — Redemption by the Owner
Q9. What additional obligation applies if the consecrator redeems the field?
A: He must add a fifth to the prorated valuation.
27:20 — No Redemption After Sale
Q10. What happens if the owner does not redeem the field?
A: If the Temple treasurer sells it to someone else, it may no longer be redeemed back to the original owner.
27:21 — Jubilee Outcome
Q11. What happens to the field at Jubilee if it was not redeemed?
A: It becomes holy to God and is given to the priests, like a segregated field.
Q12. Who receives the field?
A: The priestly division serving during the week in which Jubilee begins.
27:22 — A Purchased Field
Q13. How is a consecrated purchased field different from an inherited field?
A: It is never given to the priests in Jubilee, because it was never the consecrator’s ancestral possession.
Q14. What happens if it is not redeemed?
A: It reverts in the Jubilee year to the original hereditary owner from whom it was purchased.
27:23–24 — Valuation and Return
Q15. How is a purchased field redeemed?
A: The priest calculates its value only until the Jubilee, and the redeemer pays that amount.
Q16. Where does the money go?
A: The money is holy to God, i.e., for Temple upkeep.
27:25 — Sacred Shekel
Q17. What standard applies to all valuations?
A: All valuations must be calculated using the sacred shekel.
Q18. What is the relationship between shekels and gerahs?
A:
- 1 shekel = 20 gerahs
- Originally 20 ma’ahs; later increased to 24 ma’ahs per sela
27:26 — Firstborn Animals
Q19. Why may a firstborn animal not be consecrated?
A: Because it already belongs to God from birth and is not the owner’s to consecrate.
Q20. Does this apply to all kosher species?
A: Yes—ox, sheep, or goat.
27:27 — Defiled Animals
Q21. What animal is meant by “בְּהֵמָה טְמֵאָה” here?
A: An animal of a non‑kosher species consecrated for Temple upkeep.
Q22. How may it be redeemed?
A: By paying its valuation plus a fifth.
Q23. What if it is not redeemed?
A: It must be sold according to its valuation.
27:28 — Cherem (Segregation)
Q24. What is “חֵרֶם”?
A: Property irrevocably segregated for God—person, animal, or land.
Q25. May a cherem be sold or redeemed?
A: No—it may neither be sold nor redeemed.
Q26. To whom does an unspecified cherem go?
A:
- Some sages: to the Temple treasury
- Others: to the priests
27:29 — A Person Condemned to Death
Q27. What happens if someone vows the valuation of a condemned man?
A: The vow has no effect.
Q28. Why?
A: A person condemned to death has no monetary or valuation status.
27:30 — Second Tithe
Q29. What tithe is discussed here?
A: The second tithe of produce from land, grain, wine, and oil.
Q30. Why is it called “לה׳”?
A: God acquires it and commands it be eaten in Jerusalem.
27:31 — Redeeming the Second Tithe
Q31. When must one add a fifth?
A: When redeeming his own second tithe, not another’s.
27:32 — Tithe of Animals
Q32. How is animal tithe designated?
A: Animals pass one by one under a rod; every tenth is marked.
Q33. What sanctity does animal tithe have?
A:
- Blood and fats offered on the Altar
- Meat eaten by the owner
27:33 — No Selection or Substitution
Q34. May one choose which animal becomes the tithe?
A: No—no distinction between good or bad may be made.
Q35. What if substitution is attempted?
A: Both animals become holy, and it cannot be redeemed.
27:34 — Conclusion
Q36. What does the final verse affirm?
A: These commandments were given at Mount Sinai through Moses.