Bechukotai

Embark on a journey of Jewish learning and discovery, exploring the depth of our Bechukotai resources, where tagged items including audio, programs, and podcast episodes await your exploration.

Behar/Bechukotai: Climbing the Mountain

Rabbi Jay Kelman

Many a great and historic event took place on a mountain. Noach’s ark rested on Mount Arrarat allowing for the continuation of humanity. Avraham took Isaac to be sacrificed on Mount Moriah, later to become the place of Solomon’s Temple, known today…
Article
May 12, 2023

Parshat Shavua 5783 with weekly guest speaker (Behar/Bechukotai)

Rabbi Moshe Shulman

Audio
May 11, 2023

Bechukotai: Truth and Consequences

Rabbi Jay Kelman

Judaism demands that we do what’s right because it’s right, without thought of recognition or reward. Similarly, our avoidance of wrong should be based on its inherent evil and not out of fear of punishment, whether earthly or heavenly. Even if one…
Article
May 27, 2022

Bechukotai: Coming Home

Rabbi Jay Kelman

The ability of the Jewish people to see hope when others see despair is perhaps the key to understanding the amazing tenacity of the Jewish people. It explains the difference between the great successes of the State of Israel, in contrast to the…
Article
May 7, 2021

Bechukotai: A Proper Ending

Rabbi Jay Kelman

A mark of a good book is a clear and coherent structure. The opening chapters set the tone, themes are appropriately developed, and the conclusion ties together the key elements of the story. Thus, when studying the Torah, we must look for…
Article
May 15, 2020

Bechukotai: Casual Relationships

Rabbi Jay Kelman

Twice a year, before Shavuot and Rosh Hashana, we read the tochecha, the list of dire consequences that will, G-d forbid, befall the Jewish people if they do not follow the chukim and mitzvot of the Torah. Panic, economic ruin, cannibalism,…
Article
May 31, 2019

Bechukotai: Living Together

Rabbi Jay Kelman

The Jewish people have never been a large nation. Our strength lies in quality, not quantity. Nonetheless, precisely because we are so few in number, every Jew counts. Our vulnerability makes it incumbent upon us to work together as we strive to…
Article
May 18, 2017

Behar-Bechukotai: The End

Rabbi Jay Kelman

"G-d spoke to Moshe at Mount Sinai saying: When you come the land that I am giving you the land shall rest a Shabbat to G-d" (Vayilkra 25:1-2). Mah inyan shmitta etzel har Sinai? In one of the most well known Rashi's, the great commentary asks why…
Article
May 15, 2015

Behar-Bechukotai: End of the Story

Rabbi Jay Kelman

“These are the commandments that G-d has commanded Moshe to the children of Israel on Mount Sinai (Vayikra 27:34).” Though it is the Book of Exodus that we associate with Har Sinai, it is at the end of Vayikra that the Torah actually…
Article
May 3, 2013