The period from when the Jews entered Eretz Yisrael until the destruction of the first Bais HaMikdash lasted 850 years (a number divisible by 50). However, the counting of Shmitah and Yovel did not begin until after the first 14 complete years of conquest and distribution of Eretz Yisrael. (“Six years you should sow your land etc.” (VaYikra 25,3) Every person must recognize their land before Shmitah can be counted.) Thus, the laws were applicable for 836 years.
ERALENGTH OF ERAINTIAL EVENTDATE OF EVENTLAST YEAR OF ERACONQUEST & DISTRIBUTION OF ERETZ YISRAEL14 YEARSCROSSING THE YARDEN RIVERTH OF NISANSETTLEMENT PRIOR TO MIKDASH426 YEARSCOMPLETION OF DISTRIBUTION25032928FIRST MIKDASH410 YEARSFOUNDATION IYAR29293338Important events: First Shmitah: 2510 First Yovel: 2553
The laws of Yovel apply only when all the Tribes of Israel reside in Eretz Yisrael, each in its own Biblical portion of land (Arachin 33b)
With Shlomo’s reign, the ideal state of Israel’s nationhood had been attained. Every institution envisioned by the Torah was in place – the monarchy, the Bais haMikdash, the Bais Din haGadol, the Kohen Gadol, prophecy. Every condition for national life guided by Torah was in place including the Yovel, including its most stringent condition, that the majority of all Jews should be living in their land, was fulfilled.
However, the exile of the tribes of the Eastern bank constituted the first apparent break in this ideal. The Yovel was no longer applicable and the start of Galus had begun.
After the tribes of Reuven, Gad and Menasheh had been in exile for 109 years (Chazon Ish, Seviis 3:11), Yirmiyahu led them and the rest of the 10 Tribes back to Eretz Yisrael (Megillah 14b, Rashi Arachin 12b). According to Ramban (commentary on Chumash), most of each tribe must have returned for the Yovel laws to start again. It is evident that the Ten Tribes returned (Arachin 12b) and a new Yovel period began, and that the Temple was destroyed 36 years later. This appears to be the Gemara’s understanding according to Rabbi Yehuda. Even though a new Yovel was not actually observed, since the Temple was destroyed and almost all the Jews went into Exile in the 36th year of that Yovel cycle according to all opinions.
YOVEL RESUMED1ST TO YOVEL1ST TO SHMITAH3302END OF REIGN OF KING YOSHIYAHU14TH TO YOVELSHMITAH3316END OF REIGNS OF YEHOYAKIM AND YEHOYACHINTH TO YOVELTH TO SHMITAHEND OF THE REIGN OF TZIDKIYAHU AND THE CHURBAN 1ST MIKDASHTH TO YOVEL1ST TO SHMITAH3338