The Law permitted the re-purchase of land that was sold by the owner or by his relatives (to keep it in the family). However, redemption of houses inside walled cities had an expiration date. Why do you think there is a difference in how “urban” land and “farm” land is treated? What social benefits would a community experience if this law were practiced. What social and ecological ills might be prevented?
For Further Reflection
In December 2011, 65 homes (one out of every 1037 homes) in Lancaster, PA, received a foreclosure notice. In Chicago, the rate was one out of every 351 homes—a total of 3,406 homes. Foreclosure not only affects owners. Renters in foreclosed multi-unit buildings are often displaced when the property is taken by a bank, putting them at higher risk of homelessness.
Could a “land redemption” law like the one you read today help to stabilize a community? Who do you think would oppose such a law? Why?
Tongue on Fire 
I’m going to show my age…. Back in the mid-1960’s, when my family would travel into Chicago on I-90 from our house 120 miles distant, we knew we were getting close to the city when we came to Arlington Heights Rd. From there, you could see development. Until that point, it was all farm land. Fast forward to 2012–50 years later. The “city” begins at the Huntley exit, 60 miles from downtown, and all the farms have been turned into housing, industrial and commercial developments. Urban sprawl. How many acres of some of the most productive farmland in the world has been bulldozed so people can have a nice yard that produces little or nothing? We have idealized the middle class concept of living in a garden without considering the larger impact on the environment. Not only have we lost arable land; we have impacted air quality (think increased auto emissions due to longer commutes and dependence on cars), land quality (to produce more food on less land, it must be coaxed by artificial means such as herbicides and pesticides), water quality (where do all those chemicals end up? groundwater.), and personal relationships (more time inside a car by yourself means less time with family and friends.) Laws that slow the spread of development helps everyone stay healthier. A “farm redemption” law like Leviticus would definitely slow suburban sprawl and preserve arable land. I guess I’m showing my urban preference as well as my age. But I’m not alone. Current thinking in community planning promotes greater population density, increased walkability, and public (as opposed to private) green space.
Please know that I am not condemning people who live in the suburbs or exurbs. I have many friends who live in the ‘burbs.’ I just believe we need some renewed thinking about “land use” and our need for space.
LikeLike
Regarding land use, there is a growing movement here in the Denver/Boulder area called Yards to Gardens (www.y2g.org). People volunteer one (or more) of four things: yard space, organic material like compost, tools, or gardening skills/hours. Then, through a community map, they find each other in order to turn a patch of grass in someone’s yard into a veggie/fruit producing garden. Kinda cool.
I like the idea of jubilation as a form of debt relief, too. Might it create for the purchaser/”leaser” a strong sense of stewardship? If I had a leased car, I would probably be super careful with it, knowing it must be returned in good order. However, leasing (a close-ish modern parallel) is currently a racket…a cash cow for dealerships and overall far more expensive than ownership. I wonder what a justice-oriented version would look like, a leasing system that values people over money and the long-term over the short-term.
Lastly, a jubilee-like return of land to previous owners has one major appeal to me. 50 years ago, the San Luis Valley in southern Colorado (where my mom grew up and a lot of extended family remains) was populated by farming families. Now, family farms are dwindling toward extinction, replaced by corporate food growers. Wish there was a way to reverse that trend.
LikeLike
I love the ‘yards to gardens’ idea. Now that the church has been deconstructed, we have lots of open land. This summer, we’re turning it into community garden space (and outdoor worship space). I’ll keep you posted as to how it develops.
As for leasing, we have Zip cars and I-go cars which are basically shared ownership concepts. You pay a membership fee and you can use a car when you need it (for an hourly rate that covers gas, insurance, upkeep, etc). If you only need a car occasionally, it is great. We considered it until Karren got a job where public transpiration wasn’t a good option.
LikeLike