From The Rabbi’s Study… Shabbat, May 23, 24, 2025/25, 26 Iyar 5785 (Omer 40, 41)
This Sabbath has a double Torah Portion. Finishing the Book of Vayikra/Leviticus, which contains: 859 verses, 27 chapters, and 10 Sidrot/weekly readings from the Torah cycle.
This weekend marks Memorial Day. We thank all our military and veterans for their service in maintaining our freedom and safety. Honor and Respect always to them and their families.
The first Torah portion is from Behar, which has the laws of regulating the Sabbath and the Jubilee Year, caring for the poor, and G-d’s rewards and punishments.
The second Torah reading is from Bechukotai, which contains the ban on idolatry, the Sabbath observance, rewards and punishments for disobedience, tithes and valuation of offerings, and vows.
The Book of Leviticus contains all the commandments and laws. So, what are the rewards and punishments? The answer is the consequences of our choices and actions. Many ancient Near East nations developed legal systems that promised great rewards for those who observed the laws and punishment for those who did not. This Sabbath offers a list of all the blessings and curses that faced the Israelites. The Israelites were promised peace, victory over their enemies, and prosperity if they followed G-d’s laws. If the Israelites did not follow G-d’s laws, their punishment would be diseases, crop failure, and the death of their herds and children. (Leviticus 26:3-38).
The Hebrew word Tochechah means admonitions, which is the name of this chapter of the Torah. Many commentaries of this chapter include the discussions of G-d’s relationship with human beings and whether G-d rewards and punishes humanity according to their actions. Since our actions define us, the consensus seems to be that everything one does has consequences and to think first before taking actions. Thus, there are no correlations to a person’s good luck or fortunes; a person of noble character may be lucky or miserable in life. The same is true for all humanity. However, the person who is honest and dependable is always respected and trusted. It is the kindness to others that often brings out a similar response from them.
Some of our notable quotes are found in this Torah portion:
“And you shall proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants.” (Leviticus 25:10)
This verse was adapted and inscribed on the Liberty Bell.
“The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is Mine because strangers and settlers are you to Me.” (Leviticus 25:23)
“I will give peace to the land, and you shall sleep, and no one shall frighten you.” (Leviticus 26:6)
The Jewish people throughout three millennia have given so much to humanity. Our Torah was a guide of how to live an ethical and moral life. One’s actions should have good intentions because it reflects on every Jewish person. You may ponder this, and you may find many examples of good actions by Jewish people, and it only takes one bad action to bring out the hatred rhetoric and antisemitism from the world.
May this week have many students graduating with knowledge and us observing Memorial Day, when many lost their lives to give each of us so much, to bring health, happiness and peace for us and the world.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Helene Ainbinder
