2Et shabtotai tishmoru umikdashi tira'u ani Adonai
The final aliyah of the parsha deals with the most extreme case: a Jew sold to a ger, a non-Jewish resident of the land. Even in this situation, the Torah does not give up on redemption.
The case.“Vechi tasig yad ger vetoshav imakh umakh achikha imo venimkar leger toshav imakh” (verse 47). The stranger prospered, and the brother declined. The reality is reversed from the usual. But even here, the Torah does not say “lost.” It says: “Acharei nimkar ge’ulah tihyeh lo” (verse 48). There is always a possibility of redemption.
The order of redeemers.“O dodo o ven dodo yig’alenu o mishe’er besaro mimishpachto yig’alenu o hisigah yado venig’al” (verse 49). A brother, uncle, cousin, a relative from the family, or the person themselves if they have the means. The Torah details the order so that no vacuum is created: there is always someone responsible.
A fair calculation.“Vechishav im konehu mishnat himakhro lo ad shenat hayovel” (verse 50). Redemption is not a seizure. There is a precise accounting: how many years remain until the Jubilee, how much was paid, what is the difference. “Kimei sakhir yihyeh imo” - he is measured as a hired worker, not a slave. The identity of the work changes, even if the situation does not.
Protection from oppression.“Kiskhir shanah beshanah yihyeh imo lo yirdenu beferekh le’einekha” (verse 53). “Before your eyes” - the responsibility does not lie only with the buyer. It also lies with us. Whoever sees a fellow Jew degraded in the hands of a stranger and remains silent violates “before your eyes.” The obligation is communal, not merely personal.
The Jubilee as absolute freedom.“Ve’im lo yiga’el be’eleh veyatza bishnat hayovel hu uvanav imo” (verse 54). If no one redeemed him, the Jubilee releases him for free. And immediately after, the declaration: “Ki li bnei Yisra’el avadim avadai hem asher hotzeti otam me’eretz Mitzrayim ani Adonai Eloheikhem” (verse 55).
The seal of the parsha.“Lo ta’asu lakhem elilim” (26:1). The parsha closes with the prohibition of idolatry and the commandments to observe Shabbat and revere the Temple. The connection is clear: one who understands that they are a servant of God and not a servant of a human being will not bow to an idol, will keep Shabbat, and will revere the Temple. True freedom is knowing to whom you belong.