Parshas Behar-Bechukosai 5767

Commentary by Rabbi Ephraim Nisenbaum

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The Shemitta (Sabbatical) year occurs every seven years in Israel. This means that all Jewish-owned land in Israel may not be sown, planted, or worked on, for the entire year. Although it is a great test for an agriculturally dependent society to lose their main source of income for an entire year, the Torah promises that the sixth year would produce enough food to carry the people through the eighth year.

After every seven Shemitta years, the fiftieth year is called the Jubilee year. The laws of Shemitta would be applicable then, too, and the Torah promises that the forty-eighth year would produce enough for both the Shemitta and Jubilee years.

During the Jubilee year, a person was also obligated to free all of his Hebrew slaves, and to return any real estate purchased since the last Jubilee year to its original owner, although the Torah does make certain exceptions.

One of the reasons for the mitzvah of Shemitta is to teach the people that one’s income comes from G-d and is not merely the fruits of one’s own labor. Although the nature of the world is such that man must expend efforts in order to be able to enjoy the benefits, we must remember that our success and failure is not tied exclusively to the amount of effort we expend. By not working the entire year, the Jew was tested to strengthen his faith in G-d.

Trusting in G-d is also seen in the prohibition against charging interest to a fellow Jew. A person must trust that he will be able to provide for his family without lending others money with interest. The Torah also warns us not to take unfair advantage of others in business.

The last portion in the Book of Vayikra emphasizes the importance of keeping the Torah properly. G-d promises many physical and material rewards for the nation when they follow the commandments. The rain will be plentiful and convenient, the crops will be bountiful, and there will be peace and security throughout Israel.

However, the mitzvos were not meant to be options, with one choosing what to keep and what not to keep. In this section called the Tochacha (Reproof), the Torah graphically depicts the terrible drought, disease, and exile, awaiting those who fail to follow the Torah and its mitzvos.

Yet the Torah promises that despite all the terrible punishments, G-d will never forget or ignore the Jewish people’s plight. Even when they must be banished, G-d promised they will eventually return to their land and G-d will be appeased. The Jew realizes that even his suffering does not come from G-d’s indifference but from a sense of love and concern.

If your brother becomes poor and his means falter…you shall strengthen him ...so he can live with you (Lev. 25:35)

Rav Ovadia Seforno was a great scholar, author, and physician. A prominent in dividual once blessed him, “How fortunate you are that G-d has granted you the wisdom to restore life!”

“No great wisdom is necessary for this. You could do the same thing,” the Rav replied.

The Rav took the man to an impoverished neighborhood. The little huts on the street all seemed dark, gloomy and deathly quiet. The people were so poor they were embarrassed to leave their homes until night, when they would scavenge for food.

“How many people do you think live in these houses?” Rav Seforno asked.

“It seems so quiet, probably not more than one inhabitant per house,” the man guessed.

“Jingle some change and watch what happens,” the Rav instructed. The man did so, and immediately doors opened from each house and he was surrounded by men, women, and children. The man’s compassion was aroused and he handed donations to each of the families.

“See,” Rav Seforno said, “You can also restore life to others just as easily as I can!”

Did You Know...

A person must be honest in all his business dealings. If one purchased faulty merchandise, he is entitled to a refund. This applies even if the fault was not found until years later. If the buyer continues to use the goods even after the fault was found, he forgoes his right to return the object. If there was no option to discontinue use, for example he is wearing the clothing with the fault, he does not forego his rights. If the seller denies the fault, the purchaser must prove there was a fault.