Behar – Bechukotai

Shabbat Candlelighting: 7:15 or 7:44 PM

Friday Mincha: 7:00 or 7:50 PM

Shabbat Mincha: 7:35 PM

Shabbat ends: 8:41 PM

A Shtickle Torah from Rabbi Salid - Behar 5771

Even without too much inspection, one can see that the theme of Parashas Behar is that nothing belongs to us.  Shemitah reminds us that we are not absolute masters over the Land.  We must release the Land and free the produce for the poor.  The laws of the Jubilee remind us that our houses are not ours for perpetuity.  The prohibition of interest makes clear that we are merely custodians over our money and we must use it to help others and not take advantage of them.  Finally, the laws regulating slavery serve as reminders of the humanity with which we must treat those under our command.  We should relate to them as human beings, not as chattels, even though, technically, we have purchased them.  Of equal importance is the concept of bitachon.  By denying us complete and total ownership, Hashem teaches us not to look towards property and money as the source of our sustenance.  We are instructed to look to G-d for support and parnasa.  We all know how easy it is to fall into the trap of false bastions, idols and other material decoys.  FROM THIS WE LEARN that we must use Parashas Behar as a reality check, whose lessons become a part of our everyday attitude.