QUESTION: In parshas Behar we learn that Shmittah is the 7th year of the 7-year cycle, and Yovel is the 50th year - i.e., the year following the 7 cycles of 7 years. When the final geula will come, we will once again observe Yovel. Suppose that the year 3001 (from Creation) was a Yovel year. Shimon was born in 3001 and past away in 3100. During how many Yovel years was Shimon alive?
ANSWER: There are two possible answers! There is a dispute whether Yovel is also the 1st year of the next 7-year Shmittah cycle or whether Yovel “resets” the Shmittah cycles (i.e., the 1st year of the next Shmittah cycle starts the year following Yovel). According to the Rambam (Laws of Shmittah 10:7), Yovel resets Shmittah cycles. Hence in our scenario, Yovel was in 3001, 3051, and 3101. As such, Shimon was alive during two Yovel years. According to Tosafos (Rosh Hashana 9a ד“ה ולאפוקי), however, Yovel is also the 1st year of the next 7-year Shmittah cycle. Hence, in our scenario, Yovel was in 3001, 3050, and 3099. As such, Shimon was alive during three Yovel years.
