At first they used to say [that] a person may gather sticks, stones, and grasses from his [field] in the same manner that he gathers from his neighbor’s [field] — the large [ones]. When the transgressors multiplied, they instituted that each may [only] gather from another’s field without benefit, and needless to say, without apportioning food to them.

A field which was cleared of thorns may be sown in [the year] following the seventh. [A field] which was plowed thoroughly or [in] which [animals] were penned may not be sown in [the year] following the seventh. [If] a field was plowed thoroughly — Beis Shammai say: One may not eat its produce during the seventh [year]. But Beis Hillel say: One may eat [it]. Beis Shammai say: One may not eat Shemittah produce with [an acknowledgment of] gratitude. But Beis Hillel say: One may eat with or without [an acknowledgment of] gratitude. R’ Yehudah says: The opinions are reversed — this is one of [the instances in which] the ruling of Beis Shammai is lenient while the ruling of Beis Hillel is stringent.

One may rent plowed fields from non-Jews during the seventh [year], but not from Jews. One may offer encouragement to non-Jews during the seventh [year], but not to Jews; and one may inquire into their well-being, [in keeping with] the ways of peace.

[If] one thins out olive trees — Beis Shammai say: He razes [them]. But Beis Hillel say: He [may even] uproot them. They agree, however, that one who clears [may] only raze. What constitutes thinning? One or two [trees]. Clearing? Three, one next to the other. In what case was this said? In his own [property], but from within his friend’s [property], even if he clears he may uproot.