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Torah Portion -
Bechukosai
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Written by d fine
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Rashi famously writes that the words in the pasuk im bechukosai telechu (26:3) refer to toiling in the study of Torah (ameilus baTorah). A central feature of learning Torah is exerting oneself in studying it. Interestingly, the Ba’al HaTurim here cites the Midrash which comments that the gematria of im bechukosai telechu is the same gematria as the words ameilim divrei torah (the intense study of Torah).
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Torah Portion -
Bechukosai
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Written by d fine
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The prohibition of temurah is mentioned at the very end of sedra (27:33), whereby one who donates a korban to the Mikdash is not allowed to swap it with a different animal they have in their possession. The Rambam (hilchos Temurah 4:13) writes that the natural urge of a person is to try and get away with replacing their consecrated animal for a cheaper one to save money. Thus, the Torah banned any korban-switching. The Rambam continues that this mitzvah - as well as most mitzvos - is to ‘force the yetzer (hara) and fix up his character.’ In other words, mitzvos are not dry acts; they are Divine means of working on our internal characters and developing a refined personality whilst fostering your innate connection to HaShem.
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Torah Portion -
Bechukosai
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Written by d fine
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Immediately after the curses (should we fail to observe the mitzvos) in our sedra we have the portion which deals with the values of people should they donate the monetary value which they are worth to the Mikdash (erechin). What is the connection between these two topics? One explanation is that after hearing all the curses one might feel down - one could feel that they do not have much value in this world if we can stoop to such a low level to deserve such punishments. Thus, the concept of erechin is mentioned right away to tell us that we do have a value - we are important and we have great potential should we make the effort to try and utilise it.
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Torah Portion -
Bechukosai
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Written by Administrator
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We would love to read your vort. Click "Submit your Vort" to send us your vort.
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Torah Portion -
Bechukosai
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Bechukosai basically has two parts to it: the blessings and curses, and then the portion dealing with worths and values that someone gives to the mikdash. For example, should someone promise to donate the value of himself to the mikdash, the Torah tells us exactly how much to give. What do the curses have to do with this latter mikdash section? One answer is that when someone sees all the curses that can befall a man, they might get depressed and not value themselves; especially if they are going through these tough times themselves. So the portion of the 'values for the mikdash' comes to teach us that each person has a value and self-worth, and we should appreciate that.
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