Recap for 24 Lyyar 5773 (Parsha Behar-Bechukotai)

This Shabbos we discussed the week’s parsha –Behar-Bechukotai, and the Jubilee year. The Jews were commanded to observe the Jubilee year after every 7 cycles of sabbatical years. The Jubilee year comes up once every 50 years. Today we no longer observe the Jubilee year, but there are still Jews who observe the sabbatical year, every 7 years. During the Jubilee year we are commanded to go above and beyond what is to happen in the sabbatical years. The Jubilee year is like pressing a “reset button”.  All debts are forgiven, and those who were brought into slavery are set free.

We discussed in what form we received the Torah at Mt. Sinai. At Mt. Sinai we received general principles which the Jews were to apply to their everyday lives. When we read the Torah today, we see stories that happened after the time of Mt. Sinai. These more recent stories contain more details and help spell out what we are being commanded to do.

The Jews received general principle of the Torah at Mt. Sinai without everything being spelled out. David S commented about how the same thing happens in corporations. Higher level employees such as managers are given general objections, without a lot of details. Lower level employees may need everything spelled out. David W gave an example of this. He talked about contractors who need a checklist in order to get a house ready. They can’t simply be told to get the house ready.

We continued our discussion of choosing a shul for davening. We should prefer a shul where there is Torah learning, over one in which there is not as much learning. We should prefer a quiet shul over a noisy shul. Most importantly, we should prefer the shul in which we can have the most kavanuh. This may be a different shul for different people. This is why it is my opinion that it is desirable for a community to have a lot of minyans in different places at different times rather than one big minyan. This way the needs of a wide range of people can be met.

Once we find a shul and minyan, there are places in which we should avoid davening. We should avoid davening near the door of the shul. We should also avoid davening in front of any mirrors, near windows, or next to the Rabbi.

Brian talked about how we should never assume a shul is not available. He found a shul in San Diego in the most unlikely neighborhoods. But what if we can not find a shul at all? We should avoid davening in wide open fields, and avoid davening anywhere there is a foul odor.

We discussed how the chazzan of the shul should be chosen carefully. The chazzan needs to have outstanding character. It is preferable to find a chazzan with a great voice. If someone is lucky enough to have a great voice, it is a great mitzvah for them to become a chazzan.

We discussed why we say kaddish. Kaddish is not a prayer of mourning, but rather a reaffirmation of our faith in Hashem at a time in which we may have lost some of this faith.  The memory of our loved one inspires us to have faith in Hashem. Even though kaddish is important, if we can use the memory of a loved one to inspire us to do good things in this world, this can be an even greater mitzvah than just saying kaddish.

We discussed the importance of studying on Shabbos, but making it as enjoyable as possible. We try to have an Oneg Shabbot with plenty of food and drink. David S commented how his father would say one minute of Torah study in this world, is better than eternally in the next world. That is because in this world we have an opportunity to elevate ourselves spiritually. Having said this, we still agree that one minute in the world to come is better than a whole lifetime of physical pleasures.

This is a summary of what we discussed this past Shabbos.  No Halachic ruling are intended or should be inferred.