May 25, 2024
A PEEK AT THE PARSHA
Parshat Behar begins with Hashem teaching Moshe on Har Sinai the laws of shmitah (sabbatical year). Every seventh year is designated as shmitah, during which the land may not be worked. Farmers are forbidden to plant, prune,or harvest their fields and vineyards. Instead,the fruits, vegetables,and flowers of the land du ing the shmitah year are hefker, free for anyone to take. One of the messages we learn from shmitah is that the land ultimately belongs to Hashem and we have the privilege of caring for it. Today in Israel, thousands of years later, the laws of shmitah are still followed. The next shmitah
ONE BIG IDEA
Shmitah and Shabbat are very similar. Just as shmitah is a break from farming every seventh year, Shabbat is a break from work every seventh day. What did the farmers do with all this extra time? Hopefully they spent the year learning Torah, doing mitzvot, and ultimately getting closer to Hashem. Similarly, every week, we have the gift of Shabbat to take a break from our weekday responsibilities so we can focus on getting closer to Hashem.
year will be in 2028-2029/5789.
The parsha then introduces the concept of yovel (jubilee year), which occurs every fiftieth year, following seven cycles of shmitah years. During yovel, just like shmitah, the farmers rest from any work in their fields. Additionally, the shofar is blown to announce that all Jewish servants go free. A Jewish servant was someone who was so poor that he had to sell himself as a servant. These servants had the chance to go free during shmitah but chose to continue as a servant. Another rule of yovel is that land that was previously sold is returned to the original owners. This act of returning the land to the original owner prevents the permanent loss of a family’s land that was specifically allotted to them.
Parshat Behar also details many of the laws of how to behave fairly in business practices. The Torah stresses the importance of honesty and not taking advantage of another. For example, one must use proper weights and measures in all business dealings. One is not allowed to significantly overcharge (ohna'ah) another. Lastly, when lending money, one is not allowed to charge interest (ribbit) to a fellow Jew.
Candle-lighting: 7:57pm Havdalah: 8:59pm
