Blessings and Curses

B’har- Bechukotai

Lev. 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 ancestral owners. The parasha continues with the prohibition against unlimited slavery, as well as the rules for the treatment of slaves.

Bechukotai, the final parasha in Vayikra, begins with a statement promising blessings if the People follow Adonai’s ways. But if the People disobey, terrible punishments will follow. 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.

 

Leviticus 26:1-4,14-16 - "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. … But if you do not obey Me and do not observe all these commandments, if you reject My laws and spurn My rules…and you break My covenant… 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"

          The question of why bad things happen to good people is one which is particularly significant in Bechukotai.  Rabbi Daniel Mikelberg has written a commentary on this subject (10 Minutes of Torah, 5/27/24).

He acknowledges at the outset that there is no satisfying answer to this “fundamental question of the soul.” As with most life queries, there are questions behind this question: Am I alone in my suffering? Did I do something to warrant this pain? Do my everyday actions and intentions have worth?

Mikelberg notes that in the ancient Near East, the king would often make pronouncements like these to their subjects. But the Israelites were different: their agreement was with God rather than with a mortal ruler. In both circumstances, unexpected events could happen that required people to rely on their leaders in different ways. We see God as always present, even though we are sometimes unsatisfied with God's responses.

The theology of "blessings and curses" might have been helpful to the Israelites as they regrouped in exile and tried to make sense of their pain. They sought to gain wisdom from their past to make sure that they did not repeat earlier mistakes. Such a review reminded the Israelites that actions have consequences. Nevertheless, our world is far from perfect, and there is much that is beyond our control. Sometimes, we'll be satisfied; often, we'll be left questioning.

As we conclude the third book of the Torah, we are called to recognize that even in despair we're not alone. Our actions matter and the values of our community ensure that we stay strong.