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In the future, when the entire Jewish nation returns to its Land, the Sanhedrin will be reestablished. This high court, composed of 71 sages knowledgeable in Torah and other subjects, will be responsible for dividing the land equally among the Jews. This will include the descendants of converts, who have suffered in exile together with those born Jewish.
However, land is no longer the primary source of production, so an equal division of land will not provide everyone with an equal basis. Fortunately, we can extrapolate two guidelines from the mitzva of Jubilee. First, just as agricultural land was distributed equally, so too should the rest of our God-given natural resources be allocated equally. These resources include land (plots for building), air (the space over the land), sunlight (solar energy), water, crude oil, natural gas, beaches, and the radio spectrum. Second, just as the Torah commands us to divide the source of production equally, so too we should try to give everyone equal opportunity. This can be accomplished by providing all children with an education that will let them support themselves through their abilities and efforts.
These two guidelines can be integrated by taking the revenues from the sale of natural resources and dedicating them to providing the best vocational training for each person. This will allow us to actualize the Jubilee idea of equal opportunity. Originally this meant dividing the land equally (with the correction achieved by returning the land to its original owners at the Jubilee). Now it would involve providing quality education to all. All children, including those of poor families, would be able to support themselves through their talent and hard work.
There may be an additional suggestion based on the Jubilee idea. In the past, fields were returned to their owners and slaves were set free during the Jubilee. So too, sages working within the modern economic system might consider reinvesting a certain percentage of the country’s accumulated wealth in education and vocational training during the Jubilee. This would be another way to equally divide resources.
