Parsha Bechukotai

Parashat Bechukotai
Iyar 17, 5771 ~ May 21, 2011
by Sara Liss-Katz

Bechukotai is the concluding Parsha for the book of Vayikra and summarizes the rewards and punishments that will befall upon Israel if HaShem's commandments are ignored. The Parsha is divided into three sections:

1. After beginning with the admonition to "follow my decrees and observe my commandment," verses 26:3-26:13 describe the material blessings that Hashem will bestow on Israel.


2. Verses 26:14 - 26:43, the Tochachot (admonitions/rebukes), lists the misfortunes that will befall Israel if "you will not perform all of these commandments" (26:14) and concludes with, "despite all this...I will remember for them the covenant of the ancients" (26:44-26:45), his covenant with Jacob, Isaac and Abraham.


3. The Parsha concludes with Chapter 27, dealing with gifts/voluntary contributions to the Temple.

In the first verse, "If you follow my decrees and observe my commandments", appears to be a repetition of the same thing. What is the difference between following statutes and observing commandments? Rashi tells us that they are not the same thing, that "following decrees" refers to "studying Torah laboriously", completely immersing ourselves in Torah, whereas "observing commandments" is about obeying laws. This is reinforced at the end of the Tochacha by the verse, "and they must gain appeasement for their iniquity; because they were revolted by My ordinances and because their spirit rejected My decrees." (26:43). From this verse we see that both, following laws in both mind and in spirit, are necessary and that observance without a full understanding of the spirit of a commandment is inadequate. I suggest that observing the ordinances (commandments) alone is like following a recipe. You have a reasonable expectation of what the result will be. But what if you want to make something without a recipe? You need to understand how food is prepared - what works best - to do this. Following decrees will allow us to more fully observe commandments and give us a more meaningful sense of how to lead our lives in the spirit of HaShem.

The following section, the Tochacha, warns Israel of grave consequences; "if you will not listen to Me and will not perform all of these commandments"(26:14). Israel entered into a covenant on Mt. Sinai, a covenant that Israel acknowledged and agreed to. As the Chosen People we assumed obligations, which are described in detail throughout Vayikra. The conclusion of Vayikra, the Parsha Bechukotai, is a summary our obligations and a warning of the dire consequences of not abiding by our agreement with HaShem. However, even as we read of Israel's potential downfall the Tochacha concludes with a hopeful message. Even though Israel may not live up to our agreement, we are reminded that there is always the opportunity to repent. "But despite of all this while when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break My covenant with them;" (26:44). Even in the worst of times Israel will not be forgotten or abandoned.