By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D
EL CAJON, California –Imagine this…”the sun is going down, it’s shining through the trees, another week’s gone by, become a memory. So throw away your hammer, there’s nothing left to do. Go on home and find the gift, it’s waiting there for you…Oh it’s time to say Good Shabbos…” Abie Rotenberg gave us this gift of a wonderful song, and you’ll quickly see the connection to this week’s parsha, Behar.
The soft, golden light of dawn filters through the window, gently caressing your face and beckoning you to awaken to rest. A profound sense of tranquility washes over you as you realize it’s Shabbat – a sacred oasis in time, a gift from Hashem, entering into the rest of Hashem, a place where we know that He is in control.
In this week’s parsha, Behar, we are reminded of the profound wisdom embedded in the concept of rest for ourselves and for the land. Like the land itself, which is commanded to lie fallow every seventh year, “sh’mita,” and in the 50th Jubillee year, “yovel,” our souls crave respite from the relentless pace of life. Shabbat is our weekly invitation to step back from our peace-stealers, to reset our inner compass, and to rediscover the true essence of our existence.
As you savor the stillness of the day, you can almost hear the land itself exhale, releasing the tension accumulated over the past six days. The gentle breeze whispers ancient secrets, reminding us of the cyclical rhythm of life – a rhythm governed by the divine laws of rest and renewal.
In this sacred space, time itself seems to slow, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the present moment. The constant barrage of electronic devices and the relentless demands of the modern world fade into the background, replaced by the soothing melody of your soul’s yearning for stillness. It is in these precious moments of a blessed mindset filled with respite that we rediscover the true meaning of “Shabbat shalom” – a profound peace that transcends the physical realm and infuses our very being with a sense of spiritual wholeness and emotional harmony.
So, let’s be reminded as we read this portion, to embrace His gift, and allow ourselves to be renewed, rejuvenated, and reconnected with the essence of our existence. For it is in these sacred moments that we find the strength to face the challenges of tomorrow, armed with the wisdom of the ages and the unwavering faith that Hashem is ever-watchful, ever-present, guiding us towards our ultimate fulfillment. It may take seven years, but this is an important mindset to have…what’s permanent? Hashem is telling us that our seventh year is coming when we face adversity. Every seven days, every seven years, is a time for us to see release…from our troubling mindset, our adversities, our behaviors, our worries, our limitations. Try this seven-year, seven day, release mindset this coming Shabbat.
Beyond rest, the profound wisdom of the parsha Behar also resonates through the ages, a timeless reminder of the power we wield with our words and our actions. We are called upon to tread carefully, for the path we choose has the potential to uplift or diminish those around us – and ourselves.
Begin by recognizing that we were created to rise above negative, backbiting, gossip…we were created to use our words to bless, not curse others. To do otherwise, we are taught, is to be a fool. Bring division, cause strife, jealousy, damage a reputation? Hashem tells us that we cannot slander others and see His favor.
The sacred verses this week warn us against “ona’at mamon” and “ona’at devarim” – the wronging of others through monetary matters and the even graver sin of wounding with words. “And you shall not wrong, one man his fellow Jew, and you shall fear your G-d, for I am the Lord, your G-d.” (Leviticus 25:17). It is a poignant reminder that while financial transgressions can be rectified, the scars inflicted by careless utterances run far deeper, etching themselves upon the very soul of others. As we delve into the depths of this week’s parsha, Behar, we are confronted with the grave transgression of the wronging of others through the potent medium of words. The list of offenses is seemingly endless, from the subtle jabs that chip away at another’s dignity, to the careless reminders of past transgressions or weaknesses laid bare.
As we navigate the intricate tapestry of human interaction, it is all too easy to lose sight of the profound impact our words can have. Yet, the Torah stands firm, a guiding light illuminating the truth that our speech carries the weight of creation itself. Each syllable, like a brush stroke upon the canvas of existence, has the power to shape reality, to breathe life or to extinguish hope. The Talmud, in its infinite wisdom, echoes this sentiment, asserting that the wrongdoing of words surpasses even monetary wrongs, for the latter can be remedied, while the former leaves an indelible mark upon the heart and mind (Baba Metzia 58b).
Contemporary psychological science, too, bears witness to this ancient truth, revealing that words alone can activate the very centers of our brain responsible for processing pain. It is a sobering realization that our words have the capacity to inflict wounds far more lasting than those of the physical realm. We can recover from physical wounds must more quickly than from emotional wounds.
In this sacred element of our lives, we are called upon to embrace the teachings of our tradition with unwavering commitment. Let us walk the path of kindness, mindful of the power we hold within our tongues, ever vigilant against the temptation to wound with thoughtless utterances. The Torah, our radiant beacon of divine wisdom, illuminates the profound truth that our speech is imbued with the power to elevate or diminish the very essence of another soul.
Yet, beneath the surface of these actions lies a hidden current of misguided intentions, a misplaced desire to elevate oneself at the expense of another. It is a false path, a fleeting illusion of superiority that ultimately serves to diminish the speaker as well as the one wronged.
Rashi, the great sage, reminds us that the prohibition against such wrongdoing is immediately followed by the profound exhortation, “And you shall fear your G-d.” For it is the Almighty alone who sees beyond the veil of words, discerning the true intent that lies within the heart of the speaker.
In this sacred realm of existence, where every utterance carries the weight of eternity, we are called upon to tread with the utmost reverence and mindfulness. Our words possess the power to sculpt reality itself, to breathe life into the souls of others or to cast them into the depths of despair.
Let us, then, embrace the teachings of the Torah as a guiding light upon our path, illuminating the way towards a higher consciousness, a deeper understanding of the profound interconnectedness that binds all creation. May our words be imbued with the radiance of compassion, reflecting the divine spark that resides within each soul we encounter.
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Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D., prepares a weekly D’var Torah for Young Israel of San Diego, where he and his family are members. They are also active members of Congregation Adat Yeshurun.