The Jubilee Year, as described in Devarim in Parshat Behar (Chapter 35: 8-55) was to be a semi-quentennial (every 50 years) institution for the Jewish people. The Torah says that the land of Israel shall lie fallow every seven years (known as the” shemitah” year). After seven shemitah years, the next year, the 50th year, is the “Jubilee” year. Like the shemitah year, the land must lie fallow for the Yovel year as well. However, the Yovel has long since lost its ranking as a “cause celebre.” It has not been formally observed since the days of the First Temple in Jerusalem.

There are a variety of complex reasons for this flagging of the Yovel observation, but mainly it is due to the widespread perception that a majority of the Jewish people no longer reside in the land of Israel.

Nor is there a consensus as to when the next Yovel actually occurs. What should we, as Jewish people, do about this?

The plan I am proposing to restore the observance of Yovel (but with some contemporary modifications) is to redo Yovel as an individual Holiday of Renewal, called “Yovel HaBima.” (Jubilee year observing the 50^th year since being called to the bimah). In that way, it would be reconfigured as a personal chag celebrated by an individual— but not, for example, on the 70^th anniversary of his (or her, in some congregations) being called to the Torah. Instead of the 70^th anniversary date, we would celebrate the 50th anniversary. (There is a semi-tradition, which has never really gained traction, of holding a “bar mitzvah sheini” — a second bar mitzvah at the age of 83.)

Why wait until the ripe old age of 83? It seems (to me) that 63 would be a better way to go. The simcha would be celebrated joyfully and with acts of chesed and tzedakah like any other Jewish holiday. Certain guidelines for “Yovel HaBimah” might include:

1. Try to hold it on the date when the Torah parsha that was read on your bar/bat mitzvah is being read again;
2. Gifts to the honoree are discouraged, but there is certainly no harm in suggesting your guests contribute to your favorite Jewish charity, such as the Jewish National Fund, Israel Food Rescue (which supports Israeli farmers), the Negev Foundation, etc. In keeping with the theme of Yovel as a time of restoration of the land, the emphasis here would be on agricultural-based organizations supporting Israeli agricultural innovation and water resources.
3. As to ritual, on this, your “second special day,” try to do the same thing you did on the bimah 50 years ago. For example, if you gave a dvar Torah and chanted the Haftorah, at least do that again. There is an extra kavod if you can exceed what you did before, if possible (but it’s not expected). But “no fair” giving the same speech. Times have changed.

In the long run, the extra time you may spend studying for your speech or Torah portion should act as a benefit to one’s personal growth and strengthen your bonds to Judaism. This is one of the main reasons for this new tradition of “Yovel HaBimah.”

4. Follow it up by sponsoring a nice Kiddush in the name of your parents, who sponsored you at your bar mitzvah and, probably, throughout your life.

So don’t wait until you’re 83 to do this. There are many reasons to do it earlier, including the greater chance that a celebration would include more friends or loved ones. I can say on a personal note how true this is, having lost a lifelong friend way “before his time.”

Make Yovel HaBimah a new tradition. At age 63, it should have a wider scope, one that benefits, aside from your own personal growth, the greater Jewish community as well. It has all the necessary ingredients to make a Jewish tradition worthwhile: Torah study, celebrating with old friends and family and, of course, a wonderful meal at the end.

Another simcha? What’s to argue? Enjoy.

Sam Z. Mallin, Esq. lives in Chatham, New Jersey.