Jubilee

Year of, an institution of the ancient Hebrews. Every fiftieth year was a Sabbatical year. At the end of seven times seven years, the completion of the forty-ninth year, the trumpet of jubilee was sounded throughout the land. The fields were left untilled; all lands and houses, save in walled cities, were returned to their original owners, or, if not living, to their heirs. In other words, sale was not valid beyond the following year of jubilee. Thus the widow, who had been forced by poverty to part with her house, fell again into possession of her own. The orphan, no matter how hardly he may have been dealt with, came again into his father's property. Debts were forgiven, slaves were set free. Members of families long separated were thus united with great rejoicing. It was a sort of national bankruptcy act, applicable to all classes and conditions of society. At the close of the year of jubilee, society took a fresh start. See Holiday