Difference between revisions of "Duration of the Pre-Shemittah Blessing of the Produce/2"
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<p>Hashem is promising a blessing that the produce from the sixth year will feed the nation for three full years. This position subdivides regarding the situation spoken of in the verses:</p> | <p>Hashem is promising a blessing that the produce from the sixth year will feed the nation for three full years. This position subdivides regarding the situation spoken of in the verses:</p> | ||
<opinion>Shemittah Followed by Yovel | <opinion>Shemittah Followed by Yovel | ||
− | <p>The verses are speaking of | + | <p>The verses are speaking only of the special case of the seventh Sabbatical Year which is immediately followed by the Jubilee Year.  Since in this scenario there are two consecutive years in which sowing is prohibited, Hashem is reassuring the people that the harvest of the sixth year will sustain them for three full years.</p> |
<mekorot><multilink><a href="SifraVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">Sifra Vayikra #2</a><a href="SifraVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">25:20-22</a><a href="Sifra Vayikra" data-aht="parshan">About the Sifra Vayikra</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="IbnEzraVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">Ibn Ezra</a><a href="IbnEzraVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">Vayikra 25:20-22</a><a href="R. Avraham ibn Ezra" data-aht="parshan">About R. Avraham ibn Ezra</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RYosefBekhorShorVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">R. Yosef Bekhor Shor</a><a href="RYosefBekhorShorVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">Vayikra 25:20-22</a><a href="R. Yosef Bekhor Shor" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RambanVayikra25-20" data-aht="source">Ramban</a><a href="RambanVayikra25-20" data-aht="source">Vayikra 25:20</a><a href="R. Moshe b. Nachman (Ramban, Nachmanides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Moshe b. Nachman</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="AbarbanelVayikra25" data-aht="source">Abarbanel</a><a href="AbarbanelVayikra25" data-aht="source">Vayikra 25</a><a href="R. Yitzchak Abarbanel" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel</a></multilink>, R. N"H Wessely in the <multilink><a href="BiurVayikra25" data-aht="source">Biur</a><a href="BiurVayikra25" data-aht="source">Vayikra 25</a><a href="Biur (Netivot HaShalom)" data-aht="parshan">About the Biur (Netivot HaShalom)</a></multilink></mekorot> | <mekorot><multilink><a href="SifraVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">Sifra Vayikra #2</a><a href="SifraVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">25:20-22</a><a href="Sifra Vayikra" data-aht="parshan">About the Sifra Vayikra</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="IbnEzraVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">Ibn Ezra</a><a href="IbnEzraVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">Vayikra 25:20-22</a><a href="R. Avraham ibn Ezra" data-aht="parshan">About R. Avraham ibn Ezra</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RYosefBekhorShorVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">R. Yosef Bekhor Shor</a><a href="RYosefBekhorShorVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">Vayikra 25:20-22</a><a href="R. Yosef Bekhor Shor" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RambanVayikra25-20" data-aht="source">Ramban</a><a href="RambanVayikra25-20" data-aht="source">Vayikra 25:20</a><a href="R. Moshe b. Nachman (Ramban, Nachmanides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Moshe b. Nachman</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="AbarbanelVayikra25" data-aht="source">Abarbanel</a><a href="AbarbanelVayikra25" data-aht="source">Vayikra 25</a><a href="R. Yitzchak Abarbanel" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel</a></multilink>, R. N"H Wessely in the <multilink><a href="BiurVayikra25" data-aht="source">Biur</a><a href="BiurVayikra25" data-aht="source">Vayikra 25</a><a href="Biur (Netivot HaShalom)" data-aht="parshan">About the Biur (Netivot HaShalom)</a></multilink></mekorot> | ||
− | <point><b>Context</b> – This reading is supported by the location of these verses in the middle of a discussion of laws related to the Jubilee year, rather than after the laws of Shemittah.</point> | + | <point><b>Context</b> – This reading is supported by the location of these verses in the middle of a discussion of laws related to the Jubilee year, rather than (as might have been anticipated) after the laws of Shemittah.</point> |
<point><b>"וְעָשָׂת אֶת הַתְּבוּאָה לִשְׁלֹשׁ הַשָּׁנִים"</b> – This position can understand the phrase "לִשְׁלֹשׁ הַשָּׁנִים" simply, to mean a period of 36 months. In the sixth year enough produce will be harvested to nourish the people for three years.<fn>This position could say that the three years of produce refers to that eaten in the second half of the sixth year, the entire seventh and eighth years, and the first half of the ninth.  Most of these sources, however, imply that the three years refer to the entire seventh, eighth and ninth years.  R. Wesseley explains that even though the harvest season begins earlier, the food of the sixth year is first brought into the house during Sukkot of the seventh year, and thus, first eaten then.  The advantage of this reading is that it explains the use of the definite article in the phrase "לִשְׁלֹשׁ הַשָּׁנִים".  Food is provided not just for three years = 36 months, but for <b>the</b> three years of the shemittah cycle.</fn></point> | <point><b>"וְעָשָׂת אֶת הַתְּבוּאָה לִשְׁלֹשׁ הַשָּׁנִים"</b> – This position can understand the phrase "לִשְׁלֹשׁ הַשָּׁנִים" simply, to mean a period of 36 months. In the sixth year enough produce will be harvested to nourish the people for three years.<fn>This position could say that the three years of produce refers to that eaten in the second half of the sixth year, the entire seventh and eighth years, and the first half of the ninth.  Most of these sources, however, imply that the three years refer to the entire seventh, eighth and ninth years.  R. Wesseley explains that even though the harvest season begins earlier, the food of the sixth year is first brought into the house during Sukkot of the seventh year, and thus, first eaten then.  The advantage of this reading is that it explains the use of the definite article in the phrase "לִשְׁלֹשׁ הַשָּׁנִים".  Food is provided not just for three years = 36 months, but for <b>the</b> three years of the shemittah cycle.</fn></point> | ||
<point><b>"עַד הַשָּׁנָה הַתְּשִׁיעִת... תֹּאכְלוּ יָשָׁן"</b> – According to this position, this verse means that the old grain will be eaten through (עד ועד בכלל) the ninth year.<fn>See note above that according R. Wesseley the old produce is eaten until the end of the ninth year, since the new grain will only be gathered indoors in Sukkot of the tenth year.  Alternatively, one might say that the verse means into the ninth year, even though by Nissan new grain will be eaten.  See, though, the note below, regarding Ramban's reading of the phrase.</fn></point> | <point><b>"עַד הַשָּׁנָה הַתְּשִׁיעִת... תֹּאכְלוּ יָשָׁן"</b> – According to this position, this verse means that the old grain will be eaten through (עד ועד בכלל) the ninth year.<fn>See note above that according R. Wesseley the old produce is eaten until the end of the ninth year, since the new grain will only be gathered indoors in Sukkot of the tenth year.  Alternatively, one might say that the verse means into the ninth year, even though by Nissan new grain will be eaten.  See, though, the note below, regarding Ramban's reading of the phrase.</fn></point> | ||
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<li>Finally, he points to the order of the nation's words "הֵן לֹא נִזְרָע וְלֹא נֶאֱסֹף" to prove that in the Sabbatical year planting precedes sowing, in contrast to the claims of the Karaites.</li> | <li>Finally, he points to the order of the nation's words "הֵן לֹא נִזְרָע וְלֹא נֶאֱסֹף" to prove that in the Sabbatical year planting precedes sowing, in contrast to the claims of the Karaites.</li> | ||
</ul></point> | </ul></point> | ||
− | <point><b>"מַה נֹּאכַל בַּשָּׁנָה הַשְּׁבִיעִת"</b> – Asking about scarcity of food in the seventh year is logical according to this approach.  Already from the beginning of the seventh year the people have nothing to eat since they never had a chance to | + | <point><b>"מַה נֹּאכַל בַּשָּׁנָה הַשְּׁבִיעִת"</b> – Asking about scarcity of food in the seventh year is logical according to this approach.  Already from the beginning of the seventh year the people have nothing to eat since they never had a chance to harvest any food planted in the sixth year.<fn>According to other approaches, food planted in the sixth year is harvested before the Shemittah cycle, but since this approach sets Shemittah in Nissan, during the harvest season, there is no opportunity to gather food planted in th second half of the sixth year.</fn> It is even possible that the nation would not plant crops in the sixth year knowing that it would be prohibited to reap them in the seventh year.<fn>One might claim that the people's question should have really been, "what will we eat in the seventh and eighth years." This approach might answer that the second year is assumed, even though only the imminent worry is verbalized.</fn></point> |
− | <point><b>"לֹא נֶאֱסֹף אֶת תְּבוּאָתֵנוּ"</b> – The Karaites point to the word "תְּבוּאָתֵנוּ" (referring to planted rather than wild grains) as support that the Shemittah year begins at harvest time.  Only according to this position can the people speak of not being able to gather from the planted crops of previous season.  According to everyone else no one had sown in the first half of the year, so the verse should have instead used the term "ספיח," which refers to that which grows on its own in the wild.<fn>Ibn Ezra responds that the word "תבואה" also includes that which grows on its own in the wild.  Alternatively the people could be using that term since they also mentioned not being able to plant.</fn></point> | + | <point><b>"לֹא נֶאֱסֹף אֶת תְּבוּאָתֵנוּ"</b> – The Karaites point to the word "תְּבוּאָתֵנוּ" (referring to planted rather than wild grains) as support that the Shemittah year begins at harvest time.  Only according to this position can the people speak of not being able to gather from the planted crops of previous season.  According to everyone else, no one had sown in the first half of the year, so the verse should have instead used the term "ספיח," which refers to that which grows on its own in the wild.<fn>Ibn Ezra responds that the word "תבואה" also includes that which grows on its own in the wild.  Alternatively the people could be using that term since they also mentioned not being able to plant.</fn></point> |
<point><b>"וְצִוִּיתִי אֶת בִּרְכָתִי לָכֶם בַּשָּׁנָה הַשִּׁשִּׁית"</b> – According to this position, although it is food from the fifth year which will sustain the nation, Hashem refers to this as a blessing of the sixth year since it is first in the sixth year that the food is gathered.</point> | <point><b>"וְצִוִּיתִי אֶת בִּרְכָתִי לָכֶם בַּשָּׁנָה הַשִּׁשִּׁית"</b> – According to this position, although it is food from the fifth year which will sustain the nation, Hashem refers to this as a blessing of the sixth year since it is first in the sixth year that the food is gathered.</point> | ||
<point><b>"וְעָשָׂת אֶת הַתְּבוּאָה לִשְׁלֹשׁ הַשָּׁנִים"</b> – <p>Since there are two years in which there is no harvesting, food must last for three years. Moreover, the language of "שְׁלֹשׁ הַשָּׁנִים" with a definite article makes sense since the verse refers not just to 36 months but to three full years of the Shemittah cycle.</p></point> | <point><b>"וְעָשָׂת אֶת הַתְּבוּאָה לִשְׁלֹשׁ הַשָּׁנִים"</b> – <p>Since there are two years in which there is no harvesting, food must last for three years. Moreover, the language of "שְׁלֹשׁ הַשָּׁנִים" with a definite article makes sense since the verse refers not just to 36 months but to three full years of the Shemittah cycle.</p></point> | ||
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</category> | </category> | ||
<category>Parts of Three Years | <category>Parts of Three Years | ||
− | <p>Hashem is reassuring the nation that the crops planted in the beginning of the sixth year will suffice to nourish them for | + | <p>Hashem is reassuring the nation that the crops planted in the beginning of the sixth year will suffice to nourish them for a two year period, or one more year than usual.  This two year period extends across parts of three different years of the Shemittah cycle and thus overlaps with the second half of the sixth year, the entire seventh year, and the first half of the eighth year.</p> |
<mekorot><multilink><a href="SifraVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">Sifra Vayikra #1</a><a href="SifraVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">25:20-22</a><a href="Sifra Vayikra" data-aht="parshan">About the Sifra Vayikra</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RashiVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">Rashi</a><a href="RashiVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">Vayikra 25:20-22</a><a href="R. Shelomo Yitzchaki (Rashi)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RalbagVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">Ralbag #2</a><a href="RalbagVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">Vayikra 25:20-22</a><a href="R. Levi b. Gershom (Ralbag, Gersonides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Levi b. Gershom</a></multilink>,<fn>Ralbag also brings the opinion that the verses might refer to a case in which Yovel follows Shemittah.</fn> <multilink><a href="ShadalVayikra25-21-22" data-aht="source">Shadal</a><a href="ShadalVayikra25-21-22" data-aht="source">Vayikra 25:21-22</a><a href="R. Shemuel David Luzzatto (Shadal)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shemuel David Luzzatto</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="HoilMosheVayikra25-21" data-aht="source">Hoil Moshe</a><a href="HoilMosheVayikra25-21" data-aht="source">Vayikra 25:21</a><a href="R. Moshe Yitzchak Ashkenazi (Hoil Moshe)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Moshe Yitzchak Ashkenazi</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RDavidZviHoffmannVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">R. David Zvi Hoffmann</a><a href="RDavidZviHoffmannVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">Vayikra 25:20-22</a><a href="R. David Zvi Hoffmann" data-aht="parshan">About R. David Zvi Hoffmann</a></multilink></mekorot> | <mekorot><multilink><a href="SifraVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">Sifra Vayikra #1</a><a href="SifraVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">25:20-22</a><a href="Sifra Vayikra" data-aht="parshan">About the Sifra Vayikra</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RashiVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">Rashi</a><a href="RashiVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">Vayikra 25:20-22</a><a href="R. Shelomo Yitzchaki (Rashi)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RalbagVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">Ralbag #2</a><a href="RalbagVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">Vayikra 25:20-22</a><a href="R. Levi b. Gershom (Ralbag, Gersonides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Levi b. Gershom</a></multilink>,<fn>Ralbag also brings the opinion that the verses might refer to a case in which Yovel follows Shemittah.</fn> <multilink><a href="ShadalVayikra25-21-22" data-aht="source">Shadal</a><a href="ShadalVayikra25-21-22" data-aht="source">Vayikra 25:21-22</a><a href="R. Shemuel David Luzzatto (Shadal)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shemuel David Luzzatto</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="HoilMosheVayikra25-21" data-aht="source">Hoil Moshe</a><a href="HoilMosheVayikra25-21" data-aht="source">Vayikra 25:21</a><a href="R. Moshe Yitzchak Ashkenazi (Hoil Moshe)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Moshe Yitzchak Ashkenazi</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RDavidZviHoffmannVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">R. David Zvi Hoffmann</a><a href="RDavidZviHoffmannVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">Vayikra 25:20-22</a><a href="R. David Zvi Hoffmann" data-aht="parshan">About R. David Zvi Hoffmann</a></multilink></mekorot> | ||
<point><b>"וְעָשָׂת אֶת הַתְּבוּאָה לִשְׁלֹשׁ הַשָּׁנִים"</b> – These sources understand the phrase "שְׁלֹשׁ הַשָּׁנִים" to refer to three years of the Shemittah cycle (hence the definite article).  Even though the produce will only feed the people for 24 months, these are spread across three years.<fn>Crops planted in the first half of the sixth year are eaten in the second half of the sixth year, the entire seventh year, and the first half of the eighth  year.</fn></point> | <point><b>"וְעָשָׂת אֶת הַתְּבוּאָה לִשְׁלֹשׁ הַשָּׁנִים"</b> – These sources understand the phrase "שְׁלֹשׁ הַשָּׁנִים" to refer to three years of the Shemittah cycle (hence the definite article).  Even though the produce will only feed the people for 24 months, these are spread across three years.<fn>Crops planted in the first half of the sixth year are eaten in the second half of the sixth year, the entire seventh year, and the first half of the eighth  year.</fn></point> | ||
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<category>Two Plus One | <category>Two Plus One | ||
<p>Hashem is promising that the produce from the sixth year will provide food for two full years as well as the seeds needed to sow the land for the third year.</p> | <p>Hashem is promising that the produce from the sixth year will provide food for two full years as well as the seeds needed to sow the land for the third year.</p> | ||
− | <mekorot><multilink><a href="RashbamVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">Rashbam</a><a href="RashbamVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">Vayikra 25:20-22</a><a href="R. Shemuel b. Meir (Rashbam)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shemuel b. Meir</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="HaKetavVeHaKabbalahVayikra25-21" data-aht="source">HaKetav VeHaKabbalah</a><a href="HaKetavVeHaKabbalahVayikra25-21" data-aht="source">Vayikra 25:21</a><a href="R. Yaakov Mecklenburg (HaKetav VeHaKabbalah)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yaakov Mecklenburg</a></multilink></mekorot> | + | <mekorot><multilink><a href="RashbamVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">Rashbam</a><a href="RashbamVayikra25-20-22" data-aht="source">Vayikra 25:20-22</a><a href="R. Shemuel b. Meir (Rashbam)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shemuel b. Meir</a></multilink>,<fn>This understanding of Rashbam follows the text of his commentary preserved in the original 1705 printing which followed MS Breslau 103.  It is also supported by Rashbam's use of the introductory phrase "לפי הפשט", which comes to indicate that he is differing with Rashi's position, and it is how Prof. Meir Lockshin interprets Rashbam in the footnotes of both of his editions. <br/>For unclear reasons, D. Rosin assumed that Rashbam's position should match Rashi's.  Thus, in his edition, he incorrectly emended the text by inserting "[ובשמינית]" after the word "ושמינית".  Rosin's proposed emendation also forces a repunctuation of the sentence, effectively transforming Rashbam into Rashi.  Unfortunately, several subsequent editions have incorporated Rosin's mistaken textual emendation.</fn> <multilink><a href="HaKetavVeHaKabbalahVayikra25-21" data-aht="source">HaKetav VeHaKabbalah</a><a href="HaKetavVeHaKabbalahVayikra25-21" data-aht="source">Vayikra 25:21</a><a href="R. Yaakov Mecklenburg (HaKetav VeHaKabbalah)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yaakov Mecklenburg</a></multilink></mekorot> |
<point><b>"וְעָשָׂת אֶת הַתְּבוּאָה לִשְׁלֹשׁ הַשָּׁנִים"</b> – These sources read  "לִשְׁלֹשׁ הַשָּׁנִים" to refer to three full years (36 months).  Even though the crops only need to suffice for two years to feed the nation, they must also be used for planting in the third year.  As such, they provide for three years.</point> | <point><b>"וְעָשָׂת אֶת הַתְּבוּאָה לִשְׁלֹשׁ הַשָּׁנִים"</b> – These sources read  "לִשְׁלֹשׁ הַשָּׁנִים" to refer to three full years (36 months).  Even though the crops only need to suffice for two years to feed the nation, they must also be used for planting in the third year.  As such, they provide for three years.</point> | ||
<point><b>"וּזְרַעְתֶּם אֵת הַשָּׁנָה הַשְּׁמִינִת"</b> – This statement comes to highlight the extent of the blessing, that there will be not only enough to eat but also sufficient grains be able to plant them in the eighth year.</point> | <point><b>"וּזְרַעְתֶּם אֵת הַשָּׁנָה הַשְּׁמִינִת"</b> – This statement comes to highlight the extent of the blessing, that there will be not only enough to eat but also sufficient grains be able to plant them in the eighth year.</point> |
Version as of 22:19, 19 May 2016
Pre-Shemittah Blessing of the Produce
Exegetical Approaches
Three Full Years
Hashem is promising a blessing that the produce from the sixth year will feed the nation for three full years. This position subdivides regarding the situation spoken of in the verses:
Shemittah Followed by Yovel
The verses are speaking only of the special case of the seventh Sabbatical Year which is immediately followed by the Jubilee Year. Since in this scenario there are two consecutive years in which sowing is prohibited, Hashem is reassuring the people that the harvest of the sixth year will sustain them for three full years.
- Ramban and Abarbanel suggest to rearrange the order of the verse (לסרס המקרא) so that it reads, "And if you say in the seventh year, "what shall we eat [in the eighth year]".
- Abarbanel alternatively suggests to repunctuate the verse, putting a pause after the words, "מַה נֹּאכַל" rather than after "בַּשָּׁנָה הַשְּׁבִיעִת".4 As such, the verse reads, "If you say, 'What shall we eat? [After all] in the seventh year we may not sow or harvest!?'"
- R. Wessely, instead, suggests that the people are asking, "how will we eat [in peace] in the seventh year knowing that we won't be sowing or gathering [for the next year]?
- This position might assert that the Jubilee year is not counted among the years of the Shemittah cycle, and thus, the eighth year of the verse refers to the year after Yovel.
- Abarbanel, instead, suggests that the phrase is attached to the previous verse and means that due to the blessing, it will be as if you planted in the eighth year.
- R"Y Bekhor Shor, Ramban,5 and R. Wessely claim that in reality the verses are addressing both the regular scenario and the more exceptional Yovel year. The phrase "וּזְרַעְתֶּם אֵת הַשָּׁנָה הַשְּׁמִינִת" goes back to a normal cycle in which sowing is permitted in the eighth year.6
Every Shemittah
The Sabbatical year begins in Nisan, during the harvest season. As a result, any crops planted in the sixth year cannot be harvested in the seventh year, and additionally no crops can be planted in the seventh year. Thus, every Shemittah cycle results in two years without a harvest, and the harvest of the sixth year must sustain the nation for three full years.
- He points out that Sukkot is referred to as coming "בְּצֵאת הַשָּׁנָה",8 suggesting that Tishrei (and not Nisan) marks the change from one year to the next. The Karaites might respond that the verse refers to the end of an agricultural year, but not a ritual one.
- Ibn Ezra further notes that the shofar blast that marks the Jubilee year is blown after Yom HaKippurim, suggesting that the year begins in Tishrei.
- Finally, he points to the order of the nation's words "הֵן לֹא נִזְרָע וְלֹא נֶאֱסֹף" to prove that in the Sabbatical year planting precedes sowing, in contrast to the claims of the Karaites.
Since there are two years in which there is no harvesting, food must last for three years. Moreover, the language of "שְׁלֹשׁ הַשָּׁנִים" with a definite article makes sense since the verse refers not just to 36 months but to three full years of the Shemittah cycle.
Parts of Three Years
Hashem is reassuring the nation that the crops planted in the beginning of the sixth year will suffice to nourish them for a two year period, or one more year than usual. This two year period extends across parts of three different years of the Shemittah cycle and thus overlaps with the second half of the sixth year, the entire seventh year, and the first half of the eighth year.
- Rashi explains that even though some crops can be eaten earlier, until Sukkot of the ninth year there is still some produce that has not yet been brought into the house.16
- Netziv, instead, suggests that the verse is saying that even though it is not necessary, enough crops will grow to last until the ninth year.17
- Ralbag, in contrast, claims that this part of the verse refers to a year in which Yovel follows Shemittah, in which case the old grains must sustain the nation through the ninth year.18 Abarbanel questions this splitting of the verses, writing, "איך יפרשהו לשעורין חלק לשמטה וחלק ביובל?"
Two Plus One
Hashem is promising that the produce from the sixth year will provide food for two full years as well as the seeds needed to sow the land for the third year.