When was the first Shemita year? I want to compare with our years from 1800 til now.
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1It's a good question, imho. Was Shmitta counted during the 70 years?– ertert3terteCommented Sep 28, 2014 at 3:04
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Welcome to Mi Yodeya! Interesting question....I hope you don't mind that I edited the title for clarity -- if there's anything you don't like you can always fix it here.– MTLCommented Sep 28, 2014 at 3:06
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You might consider registering your account, which will give you access to more of the site's features, and/or editing your account for a more personal name than 7105 (unless you're particularly attached to that number :P). Hope to see you around the site!– MTLCommented Sep 28, 2014 at 3:09
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@ShmuelBrin during the 70 years the shemita was counted miderabanan. Like we count now, after the destruction of the second temple, mederabanan (according to most of opinions).– jutkyCommented Sep 28, 2014 at 21:08
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2 Answers
The first Shemitta year was 21 years after the Jews entered Israel under the leadership of Joshua. According to Seder Olam, that was in the Jewish year 2509 after Creation.
answered Sep 28, 2014 at 1:33
Ramba"m in hilchot shemita veyovel (10:2) says that the first shemita was 21 years after Jews entered Israel (14 years until they captured the land and 7 years till the first shemita), which is 2510 years from the creation. Others rule that 2509 year was shemita.
However there is no contradiction, becuase it depends from where you begin to count the years. The world was created 5 days before the first Rosh HaShono (by the Tana that says the world was created in Elul). And Adam was created at the day of Rosh HaShono. So, if you count from the creation of the world - it is 2510, but if you count from the creation of Adam it is 2509. The Ramba"m himself (the one cited above) gives a hint to two counting methods.
You have to note however that when the second temple was built the count of shemita was reset. So, knowing the year of first shemita is of historical use only and have no influence for us.
For current years, we count shemita from the returning of Ezra to Isreal. Eventually, it happens that if the jewish year divided by 7 have no remainder - the year is shemita. For example current year is 5775 can be divided by 7 without remainder.
