How Does It Really Work?

Shabbat Behar-Behukotai

May 18-19, 2012 / 27 Iyar 5772

Day 42 of the Omer

Torah Portion:  Leviticus 25:1-27:34 / Haftarah Portion: Jeremiah 16:19-17:14

“How Does It Really Work?”

Dear Friends,

Reward and Punishment - how does it work?  In this week’s Torah portion, the Bechukotai section lays it out clearly.  If you follow God’s commandments, God will reward you with rains in their proper times.  The fields will produce wonderful food and the trees will yield abundant fruit.  You will live in safety and security and your stored grain will not rot (This was a big deal.  Remember: no Zip-loc® or Tupperware® in ancient times).

And if you do not follow God’s commandments... well, watch out!  You will be punished with misery, Tuberculosis, fever and illness.  Any food you grow will be eaten by your enemy.  You will be defeated and your pride broken.

And that’s the basic explanation.  Good things happen to good people and bad things happen to bad people.  We know that it is not that easy.  Many of us have a hard time believing that God is keeping a ledger of the commandments we keep and those we transgress.  And we know that sometimes bad things happen to good people and good things happen to the wicked.

Here’s how I see it.    The old expression, “What goes around, comes around” makes the most sense to me. I know that if I do good, then others will benefit.  If I act with kindness and compassion, the world will be a better place.  If I study, pray and support my community with thoughtfulness, then the world will be repaired from the wrongdoing that others have wrought.  If living according to our Jewish code of ethics and morality encourages others to behave with consideration, justice and love, then we all benefit.  It comes around.  We all have a part to play.

Our Jewish tradition is clear on this.  If we would all live with mercy, kindness and respect then the whole world will be blessed.

L’Shalom,

Eitan

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow