B'hukkotai

“If your brother grows impoverished to a foreigner, redeem him,”states the Torah.  

The primary redeemer should be the closest relative. In our lives mothers, fathers sisters and uncles have bailed us out, supported us and given encouragement when we needed it most. This is a mitzvah, a commandment from God.  One of our given tasks is to keep in touch with relations.  We are bidden to call, write and find out if they are well, what struggles they are having and ease their burden.  Equally important is to share their simcha.  Our delight at their new child, promotion or new car will mean much to them.  Watch their face light up when we tell them how proud we are.  Listen for the bubble in their voice when we call to say “mazal tov!”

They need us and we need them.

However, there are times when family is unavailable because they are too preoccupied or indifferent.  This is where the Torah makes the next strong point: We are all responsible for and to one another.  We need to step in when needed.  When there is a baby naming it us our responsibly to come, support and rejoice as an extended family.  When a death is announced it is vital that the family not be left to mourn alone. We should never cry or laugh alone.

Everybody wants and needs the support of a community but it will not happen for us unless we step out of our comfort zone and stretch out hands to one another.  This is a mitzvah, a commandment from God.  And in the process we recreate ourselves, become a blessing to God, one another and ourselves.

Tazria

The Torah states, “When you arrive in the land of Canaan, which I give to you as a possession, I will place a plague of leprosy on a house that you possess in the land.” Lev. 14:34)

Really?  God would do such a terrible thing to the new inhabitants of the land?  It is important to read behind the linesfor this text is most sacred.

It was said that the Canaanites placed their riches - gold and silver- in the walls of their homes.  Hearing that rumor might make anyone, the Israelites in our tale, anxious and desirous of gaining the land swiftly at any cost.  

As any thinking person knows, there is no gift that does not come with a price tag.  We have all heard stories about how families self-destruct when coming into large wealth.  It can become a plague that rips apart lovers, parents, partners and children. Therefore God warned the Israelites that terrible things lurked there if they were not careful.  

Yet another lesson is inside God’s warning, as well.  The pursuit of wealth for its own sake distorts the most important aspects of life like helping our neighbors, caring for the unfortunate and underprivileged. The pursuit of wealth or anything that solely feeds the ego is antithetical to everything that the Torah teaches.  We are to seek holiness, not accolades.  We are told to bring purity in our lives, not selfish gain.

If we desire blessing we become a blessing.

“Love God with all your might,” we are taught. This means that we are to pursue Torah, become one with it, help each other come closer to God and live kindness.