Each tribal clan of Israel, with the exception of the tribe of Levi, received an allotment of land, distributed by Eleazar the priest, Joshua and a leader from each tribe. Each allotment was further divided among the families of the clan. In the end, every family of every clan received a share of property as their “inheritance.”
What do you think would happen if every family in your community were given a plot of land and that they were told it would remain in their family for all generations? How do you think this equality would change relationships?
How would you respond if someone suggested this kind of land distribution in your community? How would your neighbors respond? What does the response reveal about our understanding of ownership and property?
Tongue on Fire 
My stepmother grew up in Puerto Rico in the 1940’s when the first governor of the island, Luis Munoz Marin, enacted the 500 Acre Law with the permission of the US Congress (Puerto Rico did not have the right to self-governance until later). Prior to this law, thousands of acres of the best land were owned by sugar corporations that were based outside of Puerto Rico. The jibaro (local subsistence farmers) were left to fend for themselves. The law redistributed the land to the local jibaro and did not permit any person or corporation to own more than 500 acres. Marin ran for election under the slogan, “Bread, Land, Liberty” and was elected by a landslide. While people still debate whether the redistribution of land was good social and economic policy, the initial result was an equalization of opportunity and access and relieved extreme poverty. On the other side, for a variety of reasons (including the 500 Acre Law), sugar has ceased to be a major crop/product on the island. I thought it would be interesting to make reference to a land redistribution law enacted in the US.
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