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Regardless of his poverty, it was inappropriate for a Jew to sell himself to a non-Jew. The Torah nonetheless places the task of redeeming him upon his family. Indeed, in the Talmud Kiddushin 21a, Chazal state that there is a specific order for assuming this responsibility. A closer  blood relation takes precedence and is obligated to see to it that his “brother” is redeemed. Thus, the brother precedes the uncle, who in turn, precedes the cousin. It is only after the close relatives are deemed either unable or unsuccessful that the responsibility falls upon the shoulders of the distant relatives….

The halacha of Yovel is a basic tenet of our faith. It teaches us that everything must ultimately revert to its original source — Hashem. Indeed, the Ibn Ezra and the Ramban suggest that the word “Yovel” implies “movement” or “bringing”.  The imperative to observe Yovel is mentioned in regard to four situations: freeing of servants; prohibition of planting or reaping; the actual holiness of the jubilee year and the command of “from the field you may eat its crop;” and the repossession of the lands which had been sold. The purpose of Yovel as stated in the Torah is…