WAYS AND MEANS

Iyar 23, 5783 / May 12-13, 2023

Parashat Behar-Bechukotai (Chazak!)

Torah: Leviticus 25:1 - 27:34

Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19 - 17:14

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This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Chanah Bella bat Kreina and Devorah bat Feigel.

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Lunch and Learn meets Tuesdays at 12:30 PM on Zoom and Facebook Live.
We're continuing to read and discuss the Midrashic collection Ein Ya'akov. 
On May 16, we'll be at BT Shabbat 63a, page 156 of Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) Volume 1 -  "...אמר רב כהנא אמר רבי שמעון בן לקיש"  - "R. Cahana, in the name of R. Simon b. Lakish said...” 

Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) is available for on-line reading or as a downloadable PDF at:
https://hebrewbooks.org/9630 
A pointed Hebrew text version with different pagination is available at Sefaria: 
https://www.sefaria.org/Ein_Yaakov?tab=contents  
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Check out our wonderful community, and get lots of info about our various programs and becoming a Member at: https://bnaihayim.org/ 
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Rabbi Van Leeuwen has a blog which you should read at: 
https://rebjasonblog.wordpress.com/blog/ 
 
Dr. Steve Pearlman writes up the "Midrashim of the Week", which you should read at: 
https://midrashsrp.wordpress.com 
 
Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.
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WAYS AND MEANS

"And if you say, 'What will we eat in the seventh year? Behold, we do not sow and do not gather in our crop', then I will command My blessing upon you in the sixth year, and it will bring forth fruit for three years." (Leviticus 25:21)

Every seventh year, known as shmittah, the land of Israel is not to be tilled. During that year, the people are to live on the harvest from the end of the sixth year plus anything growing wild. During the eighth year (the first year in the next cycle), they are to survive on surplus from the sixth plus anything growing wild in the seventh and eighth years until the new crop comes in. Imported food is also permitted.

A number of commentators have suggested that one purpose of the shmittah year is to teach the wealthy what it is like to lack resources and not have all that they want. They will develop humility and an understanding of the need to help the poor.

But will they? After all, the rich will merely plan ahead with extra stores, or use their wealth to purchase what they need. So, what does God mean by "I will command My blessing"?

Perhaps this: "And if your brother becomes poor and his strength fails him, you shall support him, even if he is a convert or a sojourner among you, that he may live with you." (Leviticus 25:35) That is certainly a command - but where is the blessing? As we will read in the opening lines of the second parashah we read this Shabbat, Bechukotai, "If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments, and do them; then I will give you rain in due season, and the land will yield its produce, and the trees of the field will yield their fruit." (Leviticus 26:3-4)

Which reminds me...

This Saturday, mail carriers throughout the United States will be "stamping out hunger", collecting cans, bags and boxes of non-perishable groceries. (For more info, go to: https://www.nalc.org/community-service/food-drive  and https://about.usps.com/what/corporate-social-responsibility/activities/nalc-food-drive.htm ) The food will be distributed to local food banks and soup kitchens. This is a no-brainer. All you have to do is leave groceries by your mailbox and the carrier will take them when s/he delivers your mail. One item or fifty, it will all help alleviate some people's hunger for a time.

The Torah gives a simple lesson for the haves, which is just about all of us reading this blog/e-mail. If you take care of the needy when you have the means, you will continue to be blessed with the means. Otherwise, you might eventually be denied the means even to take care of yourself.

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom, Rabbi Emeritus
TBH/CBM

.אֵיזֶהוּ חָכָם? הַלּוֹמֵד מִכָּל אָדָם
Who is wise? The one who learns from every person.
Ben Zoma - Pirkei Avot 4:1 
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