Parshat B’har-B’ḥukotai – May 12

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Parshat B’har-B’ḥukotai

27 Iyar, 5778 / May 12, 2018
Triennial Cycle Year II: Leviticus 25:39-26:46
Ḥumash Etz Ḥayim, page 744
Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19-17:14, page 762

1. (25:39-55) Laws governing slaves, limiting the power of the owner over the slave and increasing the number of ways he could be freed, all this because “the Israelites are My slaves.”
2. (26:1-2) Laws against idolatry and for the observance of the Shabbat.
3. (26:3-13) This section forms a conclusion to the whole Book of Leviticus. If we understand the Torah as a contract/covenant, then this section, and Deuteronomy 28-30, function as the reward and penalty clauses. This first part describes the abundant blessings of peace and prosperity that Israel will receive if they will follow the way of Torah and mitzvot.
4. (26:14-45) This longer section describes the curses and punishments that will be inflicted upon Israel if the violate the covenant, including defeat in war, famine, and exile. The last part contains words of comfort: even though punished by God, if the people of Israel will return to God in repentance, God will forgive them.
5. (26:46) The conclusion to the part of Leviticus known as the Holiness Code, which began with chapter 17.