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BEHAR - BECHUKOTAI
On the Mountain/In My statutes
8 May 2010
Leviticus 25:1-27:34
Jeremiah 32:6-27
Jeremiah 16:19-17:14
Luke 4:16-21
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
Once again we have a double portion and we have reached the end of the
book of Leviticus.
This Torah portion begins with G-d speaking with Moshe on the mountain of
Sinai (thus it is called behar, on the mountain). G-d communicated
the laws regarding the sabbatical year, Sh’mittah. Every seventh year,
all work on the land should cease, and its produce becomes free for the
taking for all, man and beast.
Seven sabbatical cycles are followed by a fiftieth year, the jubilee year,
on which work on the land ceases. All indentured servants are set free,
and all ancestral estates in the Holy Land that have been sold revert to
their original owners.
Behar also contains additional laws governing the sale of lands and the
prohibitions against fraud and usury.
In Bechukotai the main theme is the covenant that was given to Israel and
the word given regarding the blessing and curses if they followed G-d or
not. These laws were to remind His people of their special status and
responsibilities in their relationship with the G-d of their fathers. If
they obeyed the covenant they would remain in the Land and enjoy the
blessings that go along with obedience.
Every Shabbat we are freed from the cares of the material world, and we
pursue the spiritual things. Our soul becomes free and we should seek the
kingdom of G-d and not what the world gives.
As we see the overriding purpose of the laws, especially the laws of
Sh’mittah (Sabbatical year), G-d’s people should be reminded that the land
was G-d’s. Israel had to trust G-d for everything. Just as the Sabbatical
Year directs the nation of Israel to spiritual pursuits, it also tells us
as individuals to pursue G-d’s ways as well.
In Psalm 37:3-4, HaShem tells us to trust Him, do good, dwell in the land,
and we will live securely, and He will give us the desire of our heart.
"Chazak! Chazak! Venischazeik! (Be strong! Be strong! And may we be
strengthened!)"
Shavua Tov
Rabbi Z
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