Behar - On the mountain בְּהַר
Torah Portion: Leviticus 25:1-26:2
My Thoughts:
Some more instructions on poverty. In verse 35 we are told if our “brother” is poor and can not take care of himself then we are to help. Notice it says “brother”. I am pretty sure this means a fellow Jew and/or family member or neighbor. Someone close in your own community. Sometimes I think we all worry that we must go out and support the world of the poor. We see starving children on TV and it touches our hearts. But, in all reality if we each took care of those in our own communities then everyone in the world would be taken care of. Each community helps each other. That makes perfect sense right? Make sure YOU are doing this! And me too!
Challenge:
Verse 37 is interesting, “ You shall not lend him your money at interest, nor give him your food for profit.” Basically Hashem is telling us not to take advantage of those who are needy. If your sister asked you for a loan of $1000 to pay her rent, you are not going to charge her interest. Yes, she should pay you back if it is possible. Or you are not to sell a bag of groceries to your neighbor for a higher price then you bought them (who would do that?). I look at our check cashing stores. They will cash your check instantly instead of going to a bank, but they charge you an outrageous service charge. That is definitely taking advantage of someone who does not have resources to have a bank account. As I always say – review your life and make sure you are doing what Hashem says we are NOT to do!
Reading #5 - Leviticus 25:29–38
29 “‘If a man sells a dwelling house in a walled city, then he may redeem it within a whole year after it has been sold. For a full year he shall have the right of redemption. 30 If it isn’t redeemed within the space of a full year, then the house that is in the walled city shall be made sure in perpetuity to him who bought it, throughout his generations. It shall not be released in the Jubilee. 31 But the houses of the villages which have no wall around them shall be accounted for with the fields of the country: they may be redeemed, and they shall be released in the Jubilee.
32 “‘Nevertheless, in the cities of the Levites, the Levites may redeem the houses in the cities of their possession at any time. 33 The Levites may redeem the house that was sold, and the city of his possession, and it shall be released in the Jubilee; for the houses of the cities of the Levites are their possession among the children of Israel. 34 But the field of the pasture lands of their cities may not be sold, for it is their perpetual possession.
35 “‘If your brother has become poor, and his hand can’t support himself among you, then you shall uphold him. He shall live with you like an alien and a temporary resident. 36 Take no interest from him or profit; but fear your Adonai, that your brother may live among you. 37 You shall not lend him your money at interest, nor give him your food for profit. 38 I am Hashem your Adonai, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to give you the land of Canaan, and to be your Elohim.
