By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.
EL CAJON, California — This week’s parsha, a radiant gem that illuminates a path for us towards a life of profound blessing and spiritual fulfillment, is the 33rd weekly Torah reading we’ve been learning from this year. With this parsha, we complete the reading of Sefer Vayikra, the book of Leviticus. It reads with a direct promise that if we follow Hashem’s commandments, we will have prosperity and if not, we will face rather chilling punishments. Itoffers us profound wisdom for elevating our lives. As we dive into Bechukotai, we are reminded that the Torah’s teachings are not mere rituals, but a sacred blueprint for elevating our consciousness and creating a world imbued with Divine light.
Nechemta, a message of comfort, hope, and peace often heard at the close of a rabbi’s sermon, is something we can always benefit from hearing, but particularly with increased antisemitism that we are facing daily, it strikes me as an even more cherished message. In this week’s Torah reading, we learn of a society based on benevolence and kindheartedness that episodically reconstructs itself so as not to be deep-rooted in disregarding the needs and rights of others. It envisions a society rooted in compassion, and a deep reverence for the inherent dignity of all beings. This is not a utopian fantasy, but a realizable vision that begins with each of us committing to walk the path of sacred mindfulness.
Let’s look closely at the words inside of the Torah.
אִם־בְּחֻקֹּתַ֖י תֵּלֵ֑כוּ וְאֶת־מִצְותַ֣י תִּשְׁמְר֔וּ וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָֽם “If you follow My laws and faithfully observe My commandments…”Notice the Hebrew words for “my paths,” chukotai, and “mitzvotai,” chukim. The root of these words relates to something being carved or engraved, suggesting that if we follow Hashem’s path, His pathways will be engraved on us. When something is engraved upon us, it sits deeply within us. The mitzvot of Hashem are placed deeply within us. Since Saadya Gaon, chukim have been identified with the commandments of the Torah which we follow even if we are unable to understand the rationale behind them.
When something is engraved upon us, it’s there wherever we look, just as Hashem is there wherever we look. He is inscribed within us, imprinted within us, and as a result this mindful awareness helps change our experience of the world. Carrying the teaching of Hashem wherever we are, allows us to learn continuously from every experience. Every problem is an opportunity. It’s as if the entire world is our beit medrash.
Is that the reward we obtain when we follow in His pathways, recognizing that His commandments are emblazoned upon our hearts? It seems that doing mitzvot first helps build the trust and faith that blessing, that plentifulness, is on our horizon. Taking on mitzvot, malchut shamayim, the encumbrance of the kingdom of Heaven, brings us to welcome the Shechina, Hashem’s dwelling place. This in turn connects our attention to the presence of Hashem and adds fuel to our spiritual lives.
Our Torah is not a still, passive, experience. It is a daily, weekly, lifelong process. Look at the word halacha, “Jewish Law.” It means a path, which suggest something we walk or move through, holech, not something we simply stand still on.
The study and behavioral practice of the psycho-ethical-spiritual movement known as Mussar, dates to the 19th century. It commonly means “correction or instruction,” for our “way of life,” and enables us to refine our character traits, to move ourselves along the path of wholeness and, through realizing our highest spiritual potential, to live happier, more trusting and loving.
We are taught in this week’s parsha and in others, “to be holy,” that our sole purpose is to become whole and holy, as spiritually refined as possible. We are taught in Bechukotai to dedicate ourselves and be of service to the needs of others. By doing so, we refine and elevate our own inner life, nourish our soul, and bring light to the world around us. We do so by aligning our words and our deeds. We do so by being authentically inclusive and accepting, not simply preaching to others how they are to be.
Our ultimate purpose, as the Torah so beautifully articulates, is to cultivate a state of wholeness and sanctity within ourselves and in the world around us. This is not an abstract ideal, but a tangible reality that manifests through our deeds of kindness, compassion, and profound reverence for all life.
The sages, with their deep insight into the human condition, cautioned against becoming mired in the letter of the law while neglecting its spirit of loving-kindness. Bechukotai subtly echoes this timeless wisdom, reminding us to consciously integrate the mussar teachings that empower our noble qualities to guide our actions and choices.
By bringing mindful awareness to the myriad blessings that grace our lives, both personal and communal, we kindle the flame of gratitude that illuminates the path of faith, calmness, and unwavering trust in the Divine. In a world that often compels us to rush and consume, the spiritual practice of slowing down and savoring the present moment nourishes our souls and deepens our connection to the sacred essence that animates all existence.
Reb Yisrael Salanter, founder of the Mussar movement, was troubled by his noticing how those who practiced Judaism were more often concerned about a drop of blood in an egg and less concerned about the blood that escalates in someone’s face who has been embarrassed, judged, or hurt by another’s behavior or words. Bechukotai hints at the importance of what Reb Yisrael referred to as keihah, the darker part of our psyche and how we can bring our brighter side to rule this, through Mussar. The Chofetz Chaim for example, in Ahavat Chessed, teaches that one of the main purposes of our laws is to help us realize our capability to perform acts of chessed and to imitate Hashem’s ways, to walk in His path with true faith.
In Chapter three of Shaar Bitachon, the Chovot Lavavot teaches us that one way to increase our calm, our faith and our belief in Hashem is to think actively and purposefully about the kindness He has shown to us individually and communally. “Gratitude is medicine,” and adds fuel to our faith and trust. In today’s world of beh-hala, with effort, mindful focus, and attention, slowing down our pace, we can begin turning toward the blessings that are indeed in our lives.
Hashem is portrayed as punishing us, cursing us, if we disobey Him. We can come to see Hashem as hard, mean, and angry. To some, He may appear to be simply waiting for us to flounder, make a mistake and disobey Him. How can we be expected to continue to have faith in Hashem when He allows such devastation to occur in our lives? I believe that Hashem is not condemnatory, he’s restorative. He wants to put us back on the right path so we can become who we were created to be. Behukotai reminds us that our blessings are contingent on our obedience to Hashem’s commandments. The Chasam Sofer notes that this is not meant to be a source of fear or punishment, but rather an opportunity for growth and self-improvement. By following Hashem’s commandments, we can cultivate a deeper sense of spirituality and meaning in our lives.
There are clear consequences to our actions, large and small. We learn from an analogy brought by the Chofetz Chaim of someone who travelled on a dangerous, high, narrow mountain path. The man decided to wear a blindfold because of how frightening it was to see the potential harm that would come if he fell. Imagine how ludicrous this is. The man added to his danger by making himself unaware of the actual situation. And many do the same thing daily in life.
May we all be blessed to fully embody the radiant truths illuminated in Bechukotai, walking the path of mitzvot with joy, gratitude, and an ever-deepening awareness of the sacred unity pulsing through all creation. For it is in aligning our lives with this ultimate reality that we discover our true selves and the profound blessing of being sparks of Hashem’s glory.
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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. He may be contacted via michael.mantell@sdjewishworld.com