The Sabbath of the Land: Collective and Individual

But the sabbath of the Land shall be allowed to you for food, for you and your servant and for your maid and for your hired servant and for your sojourner who tarries with you.                                               Leviticus 25:6

Verses 3–5 are in the singular, while our verse begins with the plural and switches to the singular.

My father explained that the verse reflects both halachic and philosophical points. The produce of the Sabbatical Year is hefker (ownerless). It is permitted to the field’s owner only if the owner allows everyone to partake of the produce. Thus, our verse states “ the sabbath of the land shall be allowed to you (plural) for food for you (singular), etc. …” It is through freeing the field’s produce to anyone in need that it may become yours (singular).

The philosophical point conveyed by the Halacha is that an Israelite must first demonstrate concern for the klal, the totality of Israel, and only then for him/herself.