Dvar Torah Behar/Bechukosai 5785 - It's Not Over

It's Not Over

After the Torah details the laws that Moshe taught the Jewish people while they were encamped at Mount Sinai, the book of Vayikra concludes with parshas Bechukosai. In this final parsha, the book of Vayikra culminates in the Berachos, the blessings that Hashem promises the people if they follow His decrees and ordinances, and the Tochachah, the punishments that Hashem promises to carry out against the Jewish people if they break Hashem’s covenant and do not follow His commandments (See Vayikra 26:14-15). The Torah then concludes with (Vayikra 26:46): “These are the decrees, the ordinances, and the teachings that Hashem gave, between Himself and the Children of Israel, on Mount Sinai, through Moshe.” This summary pasuk appears to be the final wrap-up of the entire book of Vayikra.

Seemingly, the book should have ended there. However, the book does not end at this point. Vayikra continues with one more chapter, which begins (Vayikra 27:1-2): “Hashem spoke to Moshe, saying: Speak to the Children of Israel and say to them: If a man articulates a vow to Hashem regarding a valuation of living beings.” This chapter outlines how different types of vows are assessed - beginning with the valuation of people by age and gender, and extending to animals, homes, and fields. The Talmud devotes an entire tractate – Arachin - to exploring these laws. Why would the Torah place this chapter at the end of the book? One might expect this chapter to appear earlier, as these were also laws taught at Mount Sinai (See Vayikra 27:34).

The Kli Yakar answers that these vows follow directly after the Tochachah to teach us that during times of trouble, one should make a vow to Hashem, like Yaakov did when he left home to flee from Esav (See Beraishis 28:22). Still, this raises another question: Why does the Torah emphasize vows requiring valuation - and particularly, the valuation of human beings?

Rabbi Elie Munk, ZT”L provides a beautiful explanation. After reading the Tochachah and the terrible punishments and suffering that Hashem would inflict on people, a person might become depressed and in despair think that he has no personal value. The Torah says that this is untrue. It teaches the laws of personal valuation following the Tochachah to show that every person always has value. Therefore, no person should react to suffering with יאוש, abandonment or hopelessness. Each person has the potential and strength to move on and rebuild.

We see this in the life of Rabbi Akiva, who lost 24,000 students during this Omer period. However, he did not give up. He started over with only five students, Rabbi Meir, Rabbi Yehuda, Rabbi Yosei, Rabbi Shimon, and Rabbi Elazar ben Shamu. Yet, these five students built the foundation to transmit the Torah to future generations.

Rabbi Munk himself was a living testament to this idea. Along with his family, he fled the Nazis and witnessed the devastation of the Second World War. Nevertheless, he was at the forefront in assisting the survivors of the Holocaust and helping them rebuild their lives. Irrespective of the difficulties that we have, we should never give up. Hashem has instilled in each of us the internal strength to move past our problems and tragedies and move forward with our lives.