Parashat Behar 5784

by Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields

Parashat Behar continues the discussion of being holy, as it relates to land. We read about the Sabbatical, Shemittah, and allowing the land to rest. This often does not seem to be practical information for all of us, who are not farmers, and those not living in the land of Israel. But we can relate this concept to our own lives. The concept is that the land needs to not be worked, so it can rest and rejuvenate. People need to do this also. This is why Shabbat is so brilliant – one day a week to not do anything; to just turn off our electronic devices, and all will know that we cannot respond to emails, texts or phone calls. However, sometimes, it might not be during Friday night sundown to Saturday night sundown, and our body, mind and soul are just telling us – slow down. Take a break. And we need to listen to our body, mind and soul, and just take a break. It is a strong person who knows when it is time to hit the brakes on ‘normal’ life, and just rest, rejuvenate, and refocus. If we experience someone who seems to need to put on the brakes, to take a break, support them and love them, because often it is the first step in a much longer process. 

Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Ba’Zeh – All the people of Israel are responsible for one another.