Parashat Behar-Bechukotai
24 Iyar 5773 / 3-4 May 2013
Torah: Leviticus 25:1 - 27:34
Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19 - 17:14
24 Iyar 5773 / 3-4 May 2013
Torah: Leviticus 25:1 - 27:34
Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19 - 17:14
Please feel free to pass
this on to a friend, and please cite the source
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Working the Work; Living the Life
“If you walk in My statutes; and observe My commandments and do them.” Leviticus 26:3
Rashi: “If you walk in My statutes” - one might think this means fulfilling the commandments. But “observe My commandments and do them” already refers to fulfilling them. How do I explain “if you walk in My statutes”? That you should toil in the Torah.
Most commentators understand Rashi to mean that we should be toiling at Torah study. In a significant segment of the Orthodox community, virtually all manner of work or gainful employment is eschewed in favor of full-time Torah study. However, this is not necessarily the way in which the Rabbis of old understood the verse.
Rabban Gamaliel, the son of RabbiJudah
Rabbi Moshe Elyakim of Koznitz understands the issue in the following way: we are not simply to be constantly studying Torah. Rather, the purpose of study is to affect the way we earn our livelihood and everything we do. All of our work and all of our lives should be guided by the Torah and conducted in the spirit of its commandments. When working in the field, if one does not mix seeds, and if one leaves the corners and the gleanings for the poor, then one is “toiling in the Torah.” If business people uphold the Torah’s standards of ethics in the workplace, they are “toiling in the Torah.” When a professional or home baker “takes challah” from each loaf, that is “toiling in the Torah.”
Any profession, any work, virtually any activity involves specific commandments. If you work and live for a higher purpose, if you incorporate the Torah’s values into each and every worldly pursuit, you are toiling in the Torah, and you will reap what you sow - a life of decency and spiritual reward.
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Working the Work; Living the Life
“If you walk in My statutes; and observe My commandments and do them.” Leviticus 26:3
Rashi: “If you walk in My statutes” - one might think this means fulfilling the commandments. But “observe My commandments and do them” already refers to fulfilling them. How do I explain “if you walk in My statutes”? That you should toil in the Torah.
Most commentators understand Rashi to mean that we should be toiling at Torah study. In a significant segment of the Orthodox community, virtually all manner of work or gainful employment is eschewed in favor of full-time Torah study. However, this is not necessarily the way in which the Rabbis of old understood the verse.
Rabban Gamaliel, the son of Rabbi
Rabbi Moshe Elyakim of Koznitz understands the issue in the following way: we are not simply to be constantly studying Torah. Rather, the purpose of study is to affect the way we earn our livelihood and everything we do. All of our work and all of our lives should be guided by the Torah and conducted in the spirit of its commandments. When working in the field, if one does not mix seeds, and if one leaves the corners and the gleanings for the poor, then one is “toiling in the Torah.” If business people uphold the Torah’s standards of ethics in the workplace, they are “toiling in the Torah.” When a professional or home baker “takes challah” from each loaf, that is “toiling in the Torah.”
Any profession, any work, virtually any activity involves specific commandments. If you work and live for a higher purpose, if you incorporate the Torah’s values into each and every worldly pursuit, you are toiling in the Torah, and you will reap what you sow - a life of decency and spiritual reward.
Shabbat Shalom.
Rabbi Richard A. Flom – ZSRS
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Candlelighting: 7:20 pm
Rabbi Flom is conducting
services this Shabbat morning at 9:30 am at Congregation Mishkon Tephilo, 206 Main Street , Venice
90291
Lunch and Learn is an
ongoing program of Beit Midrash Shalom that meets Tuesdays to discuss Jewish
texts and other topics of Jewish interest. It is open to all regardless of
affiliation. Next meeting is Tuesday, May 7, 12:00 noon, at Congregation Beth
Meier. PLEASE DO NOT BRING ANY FOOD UNLESS IT IS IN ITS ORIGINAL SEALED
CONTAINER AND BEARING A HEKHSHER AS DAIRY OR PAREVE. Lunch will be provided by
Congregation Beth Meier. Donations gratefully accepted.
This d'var torah is offered
in honor of my nephew, Josh Goodman, on the occasion of his 18th
birthday tomorrow. Ad meah v’esrim – ‘til 120! Mazal tov!
This d'var torah is offered
for a refuah shleimah for Eve Beatty, Deb Berenbach, Gabor ben Devorah, Selby
Horowitz, Pamela Huddleston, Micah Kosche, Sara Lanxner, Emily Levin, Frank
Marcovitz, Phil Raider, Helen Reiter, Len Reiter, Gil Robbins, Rachel Robbins,
Judith Sakurai, and Kitty Schmerling.
My weekly d'var torah is also available via e-mail subscription to the CYBER TORAH LIST.
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