Torah Commentary - Bechukotai
*Commentary courtesy of Menahem Me-Zahav
Our Sidrah is named for one word: “Im Bechukotai Telechu – If in My (God’s) Statutes you do walk and my Mitzvot – you do observe” (Leviticus 26:3). We can tell from the above opening sentence, that the subject of “Reward and Punishment” is going to occupy today’s final Sidrah of The Book of Leviticus – Vayikrah.
The similarity between the above word “Telechu” and the other Hebrew word “Halacha”.
The Sidah opens with the above following words: “Im Bechukotai “Telechu” - If in My (God’s) Statutes you do walk and my Mitzvot - you do observe”.
The word Telecu is spelled: Tav, Lamed, Chaf and Vav.
Another familiar Hebrew word, is the word “Halacha”. It is spelled: Hei, Lamed, Chaf and Hei.
Per Midrash, the above two words (Telechu and Halacha), which are both, derived from the same Hebrew verb “Haloch” (Spelled: Hei, Lamed & Chaf), point to the following interpretation:
“If you do obey the Halacha (That includes future Mitzvot as well) and My current (613) Mitzvot you do observe”…a.s.o.
Reward and Punishment.
In today’s Sidrah, we conclude the ethical portion of Leviticus.
It is now the time to touch upon an age-old question. It is the question that tries to deal with the subject of “Reward and Punishment”. Does God reward the ones who obey His commands and conversely does He punish those who disobey Him? We find that the Torah’s answer to this question is addressed to the Jewish Community as a Whole.
The concept that God addresses the Community as a Whole, reminds us of God’s previous command to the Jewish People, in The Sidrah of Kedoshim (that was read 3 weeks ago).
We find there also, that when God commands the Jewish people “To be Holy” it is addressed to the Community as a Whole, as well (Leviticus 19:2).
Observance and its Reward (Leviticus 26:3-13).
Continuing the opening Passuk of the Sidrah: “If in My (God’s) statutes you do walk and My Mitzvot you do observe” your rewards will soon follow. The rewards are alluring. Pleasantness, happiness and heaps of blessings will permeate the lives of the Jewish people. Rain will come at the right time. Food will be abundant and peace will reign. If there is war - a few soldiers will defeat a multitude of enemies and the nation will be fertile and multiply. Above all, God’s Presence will be felt. “And I (God) will set My home among you, and I will be ever present in your midst. And I will be Your God and you shall be My People” (Leviticus 26:11-12).
Disobedience and The Tocheicha – The Admonition (Leviticus 26:14-41).
The Torah then describes in a lengthy, chilling and graphic way the punishment, which those who reject God’s statutes, will face. The “Punishment” is usually referred to as “The Tocheicha” – “The Admonition”. The Tocheicha turns out to be a complete reversal, of the rewards promised before. Instead of rain and abundance of food, there will be famine and disease. Instead of peace there will be defeat, exile and slavery in other countries. The most damning punishment, the evil doers will endure, is God’s total rejection of His (previously) Chosen People.
But, There may be hope
The Tocheicha however, ends with a hopeful note. When the Jewish people eventually admit their wrong
doings, confess and ask for forgiveness, God in turn will listen, remember His covenant with their forefathers, and redeem them from their bondage. “And yet even while they (Israel) were in the lands of their enemies, I (God) have not rejected nor have I spurned them to annul My covenant with them, for I am the Lord their God. And I will remember My Ancient Covenant (with them) for I have freed them from Egypt in sight of all nations, I am the Lord” (Leviticus 26:44-45).
It is customary to chant the Tocheicha in a subdued and low voice.
Pledges of Donations - the final section of the Book of Leviticus.
The Sidrah ends with a set of rules governing pledges based on one’s (monetary) value or one’s property value. These pledges were commonly used as a tool to raise money for the Sanctuary.
It is customary to stand up while we chant the following Hebrew words at the end of the third book of the Torah – The book of Vaikrah - Leviticus.
“CHAZAK CHAZAK VE-NITCHAZEK”
( “Be Strong, Be Strong and Let Us Strengthen each other”)
Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19-17:14, pg. 763
The prophet Jeremiah was a descendant to a prominent family of Kohanim from Annatot, in the tribal section of Benjamin (Part of the Kingdom of Judea). Jeremiah’s 40 years of preaching (626–586 BCE) were the most turbulent years in the 400 years old Judean Kingdom. King Zedekiah – Tzidkiyahu, who was installed by the Babylonians (598 BCE) was preparing a rebellion against his Babylonian benefactors to which Jeremiah was vehemently opposed. Our Haftarah however, seems to have been written, shortly before the rebellion became a national issue.
The Tocheicha (The Admonition) became an unfortunate reality
Jeremiah blames the Jewish people of his generation, for abandoning their belief in God, and worshipping instead “man-made” idols. “Can a man construct a god for himself (out of wood)” asks the prophet. His answer: “But they (the idols) are no gods” (Jeremiah 16:20).
Jeremiah reaffirms the basic theme of our Sidra - the theme of “Reward and Punishment”. There is another chance for returning to God: “Blessed is the man who puts his trust in the Lord, He shall be like a tree planted by the water” (Jeremiah 17:7-8). But for those who refuse to repent there will be payback. “Those who turn away from You (from God) shall be doomed” (Jeremiah 17:13).
Hope for Repentance and Salvation
Similar to our Sidrah there is a hold-out of hope for future redemption. Jeremiah ends with a forceful message of hope.
Having named God Mikveh Israel – Hope of Israel, he pleads: “O Hope of Israel – Mikveh Israel…Heal me O Lord (”Refa’eini”) - and I will be healed, Save me – (“Hoshi’eini”) - and I will be saved, since You (God) are my glory” (Jeremiah 17:13-14).
An emotional appeal to God, that starts with the above Hebrew word “Refa’eini” - “Heal me and I will be healed, save me – Hoshi’eini - and I will be saved, since You (God) are my glory” - is also part of our daily Shmone-Essrei Prayer.
Places in Israel carrying a name taken from the Bible: Mikveh Israel (Hope of Israel).
Mikveh Israel – is the name of the first Aagricultural School in Israel. It is located south-east of Tel-Aviv.
It was founded by Karl Netter in 1870.
Karl Netter
Karl Netter was born in Strasburg (France) in 1828. He was one of the founders of the “Alliance Israelite
Universelle” (1860). The Alliance was housed for quite a long time at Karl Netter’s own home.
Its purpose at the founding, was to try improving the Jewish People’s lives.
Karl Netter raised funds to support the school that he founded, as well as other Jewish causes.
