This week we conclude the reading of the Chumash / Book of Vayikra – Leviticus, with the reading of the double Sedrot of Behar (the mountain) & Bechukotai.(rules)
Behar, begins with G-d telling Moshe at the foot of the mountain, to command the Jewish people to observe the laws of the Sabbatical and Jubilee years.
Bechukotai, opens as G-d promises the Jewish people that if they follow His rules they will be rewarded with material wealth and wellbeing. The opposite is also true: By neglecting G-d’s laws, they will forfeit His blessings. This is followed by instructions on how and under what circumstances they may donate to the Temple and / or the priests.
(G-d instructed Moses to tell the Jewish people,) “I will remove (harmful) wild beasts from the land”
This blessing will come to its fullest fruition in the Messianic era, when the “wolf will lie with the lamb” in peace. There will indeed still be wolves, but they will not be predatory.
Both, in order to ready ourselves for the Messianic future and in order to hasten its arrival, we should try to live “messianic” lives now to the fullest extent possible. Therefore, instead of destroying the wild and untamed elements of ourselves and of our world, we should transform them and use them for goodness.
Wishing you a meaningful Shabbat and a successful week to follow. With our continued prayers for our IDF soldiers and long term peace for Israel, her neighboring borders and the Jewish community worldwide.