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Parashat Bechukotai
Leviticus 26:3 - 27:24

Topics (click on any link)
Synopsis of the Torah portion
Spiritual insights into Parashat Bechukotai
Key verses
Creative Midrash for Parashat Bechukotai

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Synopsis
Chapter 26
As we approach to the end of Leviticus, we find perhaps the most famous and meaningful verses of the Torah, the second paragraph of the Shema. We are essentially being told that if we follow God's laws and faithfully observe His commandments, God will grant rain at the proper time so that we will enjoy a full bounty of harvest; and terrible events will occur if we persist in ignoring them. The entire chapter is essentially a catalog of blessings, if we keep God's commandments and curses, if we disobey them.

Chapter 27
Leviticus concludes with the subject of vows to the Lord. These pledges are promises of gifts to the Lord. In the case of human beings, money is substituted for the person and the first eight verses provide guidelines for persons worth. After people, the remainder of the chapter discusses gifts of animals and real property, which is to be assessed by the priest. The Torah makes a very clear distinction as to what vows of property belong the Lord and what can be redeemed.
This chapter concludes the Book of Leviticus

<>Spiritual insights into Parashat Bechukotai
The book of Leviticus concludes with parashah Bechukotai. Thus far, we have come across a multitude of laws, both priestly and civil in our journey through Leviticus, which spells out the way we’re expected to live. For the first time, we are presented with the idea that life includes both happiness and suffering. The theme of Bechukotai, one that will be repeated many times as we proceed through the Torah, is probably the most essential inspiration of Judaism. It begs the question--what is the meaning or purpose of our suffering .

Our Parashah tells us, in brief, that if we obey God's commandments wonderful things will be set before us, but if we fail to obey, His wrath will befall upon us. The troubles of life are not bad luck or Divine punishment, but a wake-up call indicating that we are not behaving according to the Divine will. In one sense we can accept the commandments as the flow of life energy. If we go with the flow, life would be a joyous ride; if we don't, we’re in for trouble. It’s like the old ditty—row, row, row your boat gently down the stream…life is but a dream. We need to learn what may have caused our suffering--such as how we think and how we behave. Such knowledge would encourage us to move on and redirect our lives. In choosing a new direction, spiritual growth may result.
 

Key Verses
This page is not a commentary on the text, but a chance for you to express your own comments and feelings in order to gain deeper insight into your own life.

Leviticus 26:3-4
If you follow my laws and faithfully observe my commandments, I will grant your rains in their season, so that the earth shall yield its produce and the trees of the field their fruit. Food for thought:
1. These verses continue with good things that will come upon the Israelites if they follow God's laws. Do you believe they will accumulate for you too if you observe God's commandments?
2. Do you think that "rains in their season" is symbolic of other benefits we may receive if we follow the commandments?
3. How do you think that observing the commandments may benefit you directly?

Leviticus 26:16
I in turn will do this to you: I will wreak misery upon you--consumption and fever, which cause the eyes to pine and the body to languish; you shall sow your seed to no purpose, for your enemies shall eat it.
Food for thought:
1. This is the threat the God presents in case the people do not follow the commandments. Do you think these, and other disasters explained in the following few verses, are a bit harsh?
2. Do bad things happen to those who do not observe the commandments?
3. Do you think that if you do not observe the commandments, misfortunes fall upon you?

Leviticus 27:2
Speak to the Israelite people and say to them: When a man explicitly vows to the Lord the equivalent for a human being, the following scale shall apply.
Food for thought:
1. Why would someone wish to willingly present the Lord with lavish gifts?
2. Why are women valued at half the amount of men? Are they in some way less valuable?
3. When are such gifts appropriate to give to the Lord?

Leviticus 27:26
A firstling of animals, however, which-as a firstling-is the Lord's, cannot be consecrated by anybody; whether ox or sheep, it is the Lord's.
Food for thought:
1. Why do first-born animals belong to God?
2. What is so special about first-borns?
3. What circumstances can you think of that renders special consideration to the first-born male child in a family?

Additional questions to ponder:
1. What is it about the story, a verse, a word that seems to resonate with some aspect of your life?
2. Is there something about the story that rings a bell?
3. Can you recall experiences in your life when you have experienced something similar to this story?
4. How would you describe the characters in the story? Who do you know who's like them?
5. Can you personally identify with any one of the characters in the story? Which one?
6. Can you find a similarity between yourself and all the characters in the story?
 

Reflections:
The Rabbis of old would meditate on such questions, sometimes for weeks at a time, to help find deeper meaning in the verses. You may wish to contemplate just one or a few of these questions at a time, rather than tackling them all.
In what ways we any of your responses to the questions personally meaningful?

Suggestion:
Some of the questions here are of a personal nature which in some cases could be emotionally upsetting. If so, try relaxing your body as much as possible and takes long slow breaths of air. That usually helps to relieve anxiety.

We would like to know if you find this method of Torah study particularly helpful to you. Click here to let us know 

Creative Midrash on Parashat Bechukotai
 
Leviticus 27:34
These are the commandments that the Lord gave Moses for the Israelite people on Mount Sinai.

The Rabbis of old would create parables, stories and narrative connections around such selected verses. What do you see between the lines, the sentences and the letters. The following questions can provide a launch pad upon which to create your own meanings of the Torah.

What have you learned from the Book of Leviticus? What are the benefits of observing commandments? What would happen if we didn't observe them? How many should we actually observe? How do the laws of sacrifice affect us today? Is sacrifice relevant in some way even though the Temple has been destroyed for nearly two thousand years? Do you think that the rituals of sacrifice are metaphors for something meaningful for us today? How do you relate to the laws of purity? Does it help you in someway understand the meaning of sin? How would you define sin? Are "clean" and "unclean" meaningful terms to you? Do you think your life would be different if you were "clean" more of the time? Or is the Book of Leviticus simply an historical document with no value for modern day life?
 

Spend some time thinking about these questions. After you mentally process them for a day or two, it could be helpful to record your conclusions in a journal. It's not important to have correct answers; it's more important to wrestle with the narrative. In time this process can teach you to change many of your unproductive thoughts and beliefs for new ones that work more effectively.