The Book of Leviticus describes the implementation of a Year of Jubilee every fifty years. “This fiftieth year you shall make sacred by proclaiming liberty in the land for all its inhabitants.” In a year of Jubilee, forgiveness is extended; debts are forgiven; everyone returns to their family estates; no work is to be done (a year long Sabbath); property is restored. The commandment to celebrate Jubilee intends to preserve the right relationships between neighbors and to give people who have had bad luck the opportunity to start over. During Jubilee everyone is reminded that amassing more for oneself cannot be done at the expense of one’s neighbor and guarantees that all transactions be fair. However, there is no evidence that Jubilee was ever celebrated.
