What is the definition of "Batei ha'Chatzerim"?
Rashi (citing Targum Onkelos) and Targum Yonasan: Houses in open towns without walls (from the time of Yehoshu'a bin Nun ? Rashi in Kidushin, 21a). 1
Erchin, 33b: Less than three Chatzeiros (courtyards), each containing at least two houses falls under the category of Batei ha'Chatzerim ? even if they were surrounded by a wall in the time of Yehoshua bin Nun. 2
Having written "Batei ha'Chatzerim" why does the Torah add "asher Ein lahem Chomah"?
Erchin, 33b: To teach us that, even if they were surrounded by a wall in the days of Yehoshua, they are Batei ha'Chatzerim, and not subject to Batei Arei Chomah. 1
See Torah Temimah, note 167.
What are the implications of "asher Ein lahem Chomah Saviv"?
What is the meaning of "Al S'dei ha'Aretz Yechashev"?
Rashi: It means that they have the same Din as fields (of inheritance - Rashi in Kidushin) - to be redeemed up to the Yovel, and to return to the owner when the Yovel arrives.
Targum Yonasan: It means that they have the same Din as tents that are spread out over the field. 1
Na'ar Yonasan: Hence the Torah writes "al S'dei ha'Ha'Aretz" and not "ki'Sedei ha'Aretz" ? which it ought to have written according to Rashi.
Why does the Torah insert the (otherwise superfluous) phrase "Ge'ulah Tih'yeh lo"?
Rashi: It means that the seller may redeem the house immediately 1 if he so wishes.
Rashi: As opposed to a field, which he cannot redeem before two years. See Torah Temimah, note 170.
Why is the seller permitted to redeem his house in an open town immediately, but a field only after two years?
Oznayin la'Torah: Because, whereas in the case of the latter, a person can live for a while without his field and the Torah suspects that he will sell his field in order to obtain cash for a business venture and immediately buy it back, depriving the purchaser of any benefit, in the case of the former, a person cannot live in the street; consequently if he cannot find a new residence, the Torah permits him to redeem his house anytime. 1
See Oznayin la'Torah DH 'Al S'dei ha'Aretz Yechashev', who elaborates.
Why do Batei ha'Chatzerim revert to the seller in the Yovel, even though houses is a walled town do not?
Refer to 25:29:2.2:1 and note.
What are the implications of "u'va'Yovel Yeitzei"?
Rashi: It implies that the house reverts immediately to the seller, without him having to compensate the purchaser. 1
Erchin, 33a: It teaches us that, although the Torah compares Batei ha'Chatzerim to 'the best of fields and houses', which sometimes do not go back to the owner in the Yovel, 2 they do.
