Parshat BEHUKOTAI

Article by Rabbi Yisroel Fine

The Blessings at the beginning of this week’s sidrah are wide in scope and rich in the promise of reward for those who live in accordance with the statutes and commandments of the Torah.

They fall into three clearly defined groups. The first holds out the promise of prosperity for the agriculture-based economy of Israel – “the land shall yield her produce, and the trees of the field their fruit.” Secondly, the security of the nation is guaranteed against both internal and external threats – “I will cause evil beasts to cease out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land.”

Nevertheless, a sublime existence of material abundance within secure borders is as yet incomplete without the third and climactic blessing of spiritual well-being – “I will be your G-d, and you shall be My people.”

Curiously concealed in this last section, however, is a blessing which seems to have been misplaced. “You shall eat old store long kept, and you shall bring forth the old the old from the new” guarantees abundance and continuity of harvests and would appear at first to lack the spiritual dimension of its neighbouring blessings.

The commentators reveal that this verse masks a message. Just as the farmer is aware that, for all his well-laid plans and most prudent precautions, the success of his crop is subject to the vagaries of climate, disease and elements beyond his control, so that the nation, in looking to the young to provide continuity of leadership and sustained growth in the future, must appreciate the role of the Divine in attaining its aims.

Not all had the good fortune of a David to witness the ascent of Solomon, or that of a Matthias to witness that of Judah the Maccabbee. Many a generation hung its head in dismay as it saw the ripe harvest of young leadership blighted and ravaged by the storms of assimilation and persecution, never again to rise.

The Torah declares that the ability and skills of the educator are no more a guarantee of success than the toil and sweat of the farmer. Both must stand side by side and pray for the Almighty’s blessing for the products of their labour. 

Rabbi YISROEL FINE.