Beyond the annual cycle of months and holidays, the Hebrew calendar contains two larger, nested cycles of time that are deeply rooted in biblical law: the seven-year Sabbatical cycle (*Shmita*) and the fifty-year Jubilee cycle (*Yovel*). These ancient systems transformed time from a simple measure into a framework for social, economic, and spiritual justice.

The Foundation: The Seven-Year Sabbatical Cycle (Shmita)

The *Shmita* (literally, "release") is the seventh year of a seven-year agricultural cycle mandated by the Torah for the Land of Israel.

• Agricultural Rest: During the *Shmita* year, the land is to lie fallow. Farmers are forbidden from plowing, planting, or harvesting their fields in the usual way.
• Debt Forgiveness: At the end of the seventh year, all personal debts among Israelites were to be forgiven.
• Spiritual Significance: The *Shmita* serves as a powerful reminder that the land ultimately belongs to God and that society must provide for the poor and allow for economic renewal.

The Grand Cycle: Understanding the Jubilee (Yovel)

The Jubilee (*Yovel*) is the 50th year, which occurs after seven Sabbatical cycles (49 years). It is a "super-Sabbatical" with even more profound social implications:

• Return of Property: All ancestral land that had been sold was to be returned to its original family owners.
• Emancipation of Servants: All Hebrew indentured servants were set free.
• A Societal Reset: The Jubilee was designed to be the ultimate societal reset button, preventing the permanent accumulation of wealth and the creation of a permanent underclass. It ensured that every family had a stake in the land and a chance for a fresh start.

The Calculation: Finding the Current Sabbatical Year

While the observance of the Jubilee ceased in ancient times with the destruction of the Temple, the *Shmita* cycle continues to be observed by many in modern Israel. The calculation is based on a continuous count from ancient times. For example, the Jewish year 5782 (which corresponded to 2021-2022) was a *Shmita* year. The next one will be the year 5789 (2028-2029).

Convert Dates Across All Holy Cycles

Understanding these ancient cycles provides a deeper context for the structure of the Hebrew calendar and its rich legal and spiritual traditions.