This week’s Parshiot provide a stark lesson, especially relevant for this generation. Three of the main themes connect to teach us the way we should behave in our national life, and the consequences of not doing so. The first lesson is provided by the sabbatical year. We are to realise that the land is not ours to use as we please but is in trust from G-d, and thus must be treated with restraint. The second lesson is provided by the laws of slavery. Human beings are also not our property to do as we wish, but must be treated decently. In both cases, G-d has a prior claim that restricts our untrammelled exploitation. ‘The land is Mine’ proclaims G-d, and ‘the Children of Israel are My slaves’, He declares. Both the land we inhabit and the people we live with, are distinct entities with their own rights and dignity, and must be treated accordingly. Unbridled economic exploitation of both the land and its people is a dangerous transgression that we lead to disaster. That disaster is graphically portrayed in the Rebuke section we read following these regulations. If we will not adhere to these restrictions, the land will cease to serve us, nations will attack us, and we will be exiled from the land. The Torah specifically makes the connection between not keeping the regulations of the Sabbatical year and exile. Elsewhere in the Bible, the connection is made between our oppression of the weak and loss of political independence. The lesson is clear. If we mistreat the land, we will lose it; if we exploit the powerless, we ourselves will become powerless exiles, able to be exploited by others. Could there be a more valuable lesson for our times? Science, economics and politics, now confirm this warning of the Torah’s. the continued untrammelled exploitation of the planet, will lead to its turning against us. We will be exiled from areas where we have lived for millennia and our continued existence put at risk. If we continue with unjust economic systems and trade practices, mass migration, conflict and economic instability, will make our lives increasingly insecure. The Torah long ago presented us with this choice. Protect the environment, protect the vulnerable and treat both with respect, or risk social, economic and natural disaster. No one can say we haven’t been warned.

ALIYAH BY ALIYAH SYNOPSIS

Rishon	The laws of the Sabbatical year and the Jubilee.
Sheni	The reward for keeping Shemitah.. Return of land in the Jubilee.
Shelishi	Laws of houses in cities. Prohibition of interest.
Revi’i	Laws of slavery. The reward for keeping the mitzvot.
Chamishi	The punishment for disobeying the Torah.
Shishi	Valuations of donations to the Sanctuary.
Shevi’i	Redemption of vows and bans.
Haftorah	Jeremiah: 16;19-17;14:  The sins of Israel.

Sidra Statistics

Parshat Behar - Behukotai

WEEKLY HALAKHA

 

On Yom Yerushalayim one should have a festive meal to celebrate the miracles that occurred during the Six Day War.