Torah Reading Practical Insights Behar Bechukosai

Streamed live on May 15, 2020
We expound on the following article about the Parsha and then read it with practical insights between sections.
PARASHAT BEHAR BECHUKOSAI (LEVITICUS 25 – 27:34)
[HAFTORAH: JEREMIAH 16:19-17:14]
Recalculating one’s entire life cannot be done on a regular basis. However, there are times (like in a pandemic) when this calculation should be made.
In general we have a 50 year cycle of our lifetime relationship with HaShem. It’s broken down into 7 cycles of shmittah. Each Shmittah contains 7 years of various stages of growth. The 50th year is Jubilee when we make a reboot and recalculation on everything.
On a yearly level this structure is paralleled in what we do during the 7 weeks of counting the Omer in preparation for the 50th day when we celebrate the life changing Holiday of Shavuos.
The process of purification during such a life reboot is called Rebuke (Tochacha. Literally it means demonstrative proof of a problem).
Before rebuke the goal is set. A beautiful description of the blessed and blissful life of living with HaShem, through the guidance of the mitsvot of the Torah.
Then we read (in a low voice) a description of the gradual destruction of life that is a consequence of not living with HaShem. At every painful stage it is reiterated that the increased amount of pain and suffering is a direct result for attributing life’s difficulties to natural causes (as opposed to HaShem’s Rebuke). It is therefore necessary to bring a stronger and clearer demonstration that there is a problem.
HaShem promises that no matter how bad our illness gets, He will always be with us to help us through it, as He helped us in Egypt.
The Parasha continues with laws of vows. The first step to change gears from a negative and destructive way of life is to make a firm decision and commitment to change. Through cognitive awareness and dedication we can implement a new lifestyle of Holiness and closeness to HaShem.