Edited by B. Silberstein
The Sanctity of the Land and Shemitah
This week’s Torah reading, BeHar-BeChukotai, concludes the Book of VaYikra. Both portions highlight different dimensions of the sanctity of Eretz Yisrael (Land of Israel), each from a different angle. In the seventh year, known as Shemitah, the Jewish people in Israel renounce their ownership rights to the land, which must remain fallow.
By observing this “Sabbath of the land," we attest to Creation. Everything belongs to G-d, and we are but strangers and sojourners to whom He has entrusted His property on the condition that we put it to good use and, especially, that we share the bounty with those who are less fortunate.
A Land That Rejects Moral Corruption
The land of Israel is unique. Its holiness expresses itself in revulsion against immoral behavior. It will not countenance our misdeeds and indecencies. In commanding us to refrain from forbidden sexual practices, the Torah warns that the land will not tolerate it, but will “vomit" us out. The use of this term is very deliberate. Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik explained that it is as though the land has a delicate personality that has no “stomach" for morally corrupt behaviors.
This thought should give us pause. Staunch supporters of Eretz Yisrael are proud of its military and scientific accomplishments. We must be equally invested in its great spiritual attributes. Visitors to Israel should not regard it as just another vacation spot, but be cognizant that it is the land G-d chose as His “dwelling place."
We should feel that we have a “closer" relationship to Hashem when we stroll through the streets of Eretz Yisrael and the holy city of Yerushalayim (Jerusalem), and this should inspire us to a higher level of behavior.
The Spiritual Dimension of Israel’s Security
Diaspora Jews are rightfully concerned about the existential dangers Israel faces from her many enemies. This includes the grave nuclear threat posed by Iran. Our Parsha instructs us that there is a spiritual dimension to Israel’s security. BeChukotai spells out the “blessings and curses" that will ensue from our observance or Heaven forbid, rejection of G-d’s Torah.
The chief reward for faithfulness to His commandments is that:
“I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and no one will make you afraid; I will remove evil animals out of the land, and the sword shall not pass through your land." (VaYikra 26:6)
Jews who truly care about Israel’s welfare should take these verses to heart. We need to recognize and affirm that allegiance to the Torah’s ethical and moral ideals is every bit as important as political and military calculations.
The Nature of Divine Reward
Many commentators have noted that the rewards and punishments mentioned in our Parsha are exclusively concerned with everyday physical matters such as health, prosperity, and security. Why, they ask, is the Torah so preoccupied with mundane material benefits, to the utter exclusion of anything else? Isn’t there great emotional satisfaction to be obtained in Divine service? Why is no mention made of the spiritual rewards reaped by the righteous?
The Rambam (Maimonides) addresses this issue in Hilchot Teshuva 8:2. He says that the “ultimate" reward for proper Torah observance is eternal life in Olam HaBa (World to Come). The bliss our souls experience in this state is so profound that it is beyond our ability to contemplate. Thus, the physical rewards do not constitute ends in themselves; they are intended to provide the freedom and opportunity we need so we can devote more time and energy to study and good deeds. We thus elevate ourselves to a higher level, which is the true objective of all of Hashem’s blessings.
Reward and punishment are a vital part of the Divine covenant. Even the most religiously refined person needs incentives to keep him engaged in the proper course of action. G-d generously assists all who seek to know Him and serve Him, Jew and Gentile alike. He provides them with all they need to have the best life in this world and to inherit the World to Come.
May we all be worthy to achieve the great blessings of our holy Torah.
Shabbat Shalom.