Sticks and Stones

B'Har - Bechukotai

Leviticus 25:1 – 27:34

Précis:  B’Har begins with a description of the Sabbatical Year and the Jubilee (Yovel) Year. In the 50th (Jubilee) Year, we are to “proclaim liberty throughout the land” and property is restored to its original owners. The parasha continues with the prohibition against unlimited slavery, as well as the rules for the treatment of those who are slaves.

               Bechukotai  is the final parasha in Vayikra, and begins with a statement promising blessings if the People follow Adonai’s ways. The blessings are discussed in detail. But, if the People disobey, terrible punishments will be visited upon them, and these, too, are listed in agonizing detail. The Book of Leviticus then concludes (as it opened) with regulations regarding the upkeep of the Sanctuary, from voluntary tithes, land gifts, firstborn redemption, and the tithes of flocks.

Lev. 25:14- 17 “When you buy and sell property to your neighbor, or buy anything from your neighbor, you shall not wrong one another… And you shall not wrong one another, but you shall fear your God; for I am the Lord your God.”

              

The old aphorism, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never harm me” is about as opposite from traditional Jewish thought as one can get.

Rabbi Marc Israel of Ohr Kodesh Congregation in Chevy Chase, MD, pointed out (Torah Thought of the Day, 5/11/11) that twice in just a few verses we are told “you shall not wrong one another.” In 25:14 we find a specific link to land, and a more general ban is found in 25:17.  He adds that the Sages explain the repetition by suggesting that the second instance refers to verbal wrongs: “If a person has atoned, you must not say to him, ‘Remember your former deeds’.....Rabbi Yochanan said in the name of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, ‘Verbal wrongs are more heinous than monetary wrongs. Rabbi Samuel bar Nachmani said: For [monetary wrongs] restitution is possible, but not for [verbal wrongs].

One of the “prime directives” of Jewish tradition is to avoid evil speech about others. As is stated here, we can cause far more harm by speech that by what we do. Sticks and stones may indeed break our bones (which can be healed by a good osteo), but words can destroy one’s reputation forever.