May 24, 2025: Torah Portion Parashat Behar-Bechukotai

In this study, we will explore the Double Torah Portions Behar: "On the mountain", and Bechukotai: "In My Laws"

• Double Torah Portions: Leviticus 25:1-26:2 & Leviticus 26:3-27:34

• Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19–17:14

• Brit Chadashah (New Testament): Matthew 21:33-46

  
  

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This week's Parashat covers two Torah Portions: Behar: "On the mountain", and Bechukotai: "In My Laws"

📖Behar: “On the Mountain” – Leviticus 25:1–26:2

This portion introduces the laws of the Sabbatical year (Shmita) and the Jubilee year (Yovel):

• Shmita (Sabbatical Year): Every seventh year, the land must rest; agricultural work ceases, and debts are forgiven.

• Yovel (Jubilee Year): Every 50th year, ancestral lands return to original owners, and Israelite slaves are freed.

These laws emphasize social justice, economic balance, and the sanctity of the land.

 The parashah begins:

• Sabbath for the Land: Shmita - שׁמטּה  

In addition to the weekly seventh day of rest called the Shabbat, and the holy convocations on the seventh month (the Days of Awe), every seventh year the land was commanded to rest and remain fallow.

This seventh year was called a Shmita - שׁמטּה, a word that means "to let go" or "to withdraw." The Shmita was a full calendar year in which Jewish farmers were to abstain from all farming in order to let the land rest.

To determine the Shmita year, take the current Jewish year and divide by seven; if there is no remainder, it is a Shmita year; otherwise it is not. For example, if the Jewish year is 5768, you divide by 7 to get 824 with no remainder, so it is a Sabbatical year. The next year (that begins with Rosh Hashanah) is 5769. Divide that by 7 gives 824 with a remainder of 1, indicating one year past the last Shmita.

Since the Jewish year begins at Rosh Hashanah, each Shmita begins on Rosh Hashanah (to Yom Kippur) and ends just before the next Rosh Hashanah begins. During a Shmita year, no work on the land could be done - no farming, planting, or other cultivation. Any naturally occurring produce became free for the taking for both man and animals.

The produce that grows during this year does not belong to the owner of the land, but is regarded as the LORD's, and therefore anyone who wants to can come and pick some without charge. This means that the farmer cannot sell the fruit or control access to the land.

The Shmita was more than a year of cessation from agricultural labor, however, since all outstanding debts were canceled during this year as well. All loans were forgiven in the Shmita year, and no lender of money could demand repayment from a debtor.

"At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. 2 This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel any loan they have made to a fellow Israelite. They shall not require payment from anyone among their own people, because the Lord’s time for canceling debts has been proclaimed. 3 You may require payment from a foreigner, but you must cancel any debt your fellow Israelite owes you. 4 However, there need be no poor people among you, for in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you," Deuteronomy 15:1-4

The observance of the Shmita was a real test of faith, since it meant that the Jews had to completely trust that the LORD would provide for them, despite abandoning their usual farming and banking practices.

Sadly, the people did not observe the laws of the Shmita, and this eventually lead to the 70 year captivity in Babylon, one year in captivity for each year that the Shmita was disregarded.

"He carried into exile to Babylon the remnant, who escaped from the sword, and they became servants to him and his successors until the kingdom of Persia came to power. 21 The land enjoyed its sabbath rests; all the time of its desolation it rested, until the seventy years were completed in fulfillment of the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah." 2 Chronicles 36:20-21

This implies that for (at least) 490 years before the siege of Nebuchadnezzar in 606 B.C., the Jews had failed to keep the Shmita, and the LORD required a "like for like" punishment: one year of captivity for each year the land was forced to serve.

• The Year of Jubilee: Yovel - יוֹבל

After seven of these seven-year sabbatical cycles: Shmitot (plural for Shmita) had elapsed, a fiftieth year - called Yovel - יוֹבל, or the Jubilee year, would occur. At which time work on the land also would cease (in addition to the Shmita), servants would be set free, and the original tribal inheritances in the land would be restored to their original owners.

Just as Shavuot comes on the fiftieth day of Sefirat HaOmer and represents the number 50, which is associated with the Year of Jubilee and, therefore, represents freedom and liberation (Leviticus 25:10)—a time when the shofar (ram’s horn) would sound and all slaves would go free and all debts would be canceled! HalelluYah!

On Yom Kippur of the new year, a shofar blast would be sounded throughout all the land to proclaim the liberty of the Yovel:

"You shall sound the shofar on the tenth day of the seventh month, on the Day of Atonement shall you sound the shofar throughout all your land. And you shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee for you. And you shall return every man to his estate, and you shall return every man to his family." Leviticus 25:8-10

As Messianic believers in MESSIAH YESHUA, we understand that the great shofar blast will herald the return of the LORD, according to 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17:

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📖 Bechukotai (“In My Laws”) – Leviticus 26:3–27:34

This section outlines the consequences of obeying or disobeying God’s commandments:

• Blessings: Peace, prosperity, and divine presence for obedience.

• Curses: Disease, famine, and exile for disobedience.

Parashat Bechukotai - בּחקּתי  begins with the promise that if we will walk in the LORD's statutes (chukkot) and commandments (mitzvot) and perform them, then we will enjoy material blessings and dwell securely in the promised land. Moreover the LORD Himself will make His dwelling with us and will walk among us as our God. We shall then truly be am segulah - a treasured people among all the nations of the earth!

The Torah is filled with various imperatives of one kind of commandment or another. The term mitzvot is a general term used to refer to any commandment given by ADONAI.

This parashah, the last of the book of Leviticus, begins with the LORD's desire to have all Jews and the foreigners living among them, to study the Torah and keep the commandments (mitzvot):

• The Promise of Blessings:

The promise of "rains in their season" is symbolic of overall prosperity and joy. Rain causes the air and drinking water to be pure, crops to be bountiful, and the lifestyle of everyone to be better. If we take the time to study the Torah and harvest from it knowledge of the ways of the LORD, God will reward us with material blessings, represented by a bountiful harvest from the land.

Moreover, if we make the study and practice of Torah our highest priority, the LORD promised venatati shalom ba'aretz - "I will give peace in the land". The land itself will dwell securely from our enemies, but if any should arise, we shall enjoy decided victory over them. Indeed one of us shall chase a hundred adversaries!

"I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid. And I will remove harmful beasts from the land, and the sword shall not go through your land. [7] You shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. [8] Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall chase ten thousand, and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword." Leviticus 26:6–8

We shall also be blessed with large families and no one shall worry about how to provide for their children, for the LORD will prosper us and cause our barns to overflow -- all because we take the time to put the LORD and His word first in our lives.

The greatest blessing of all, however, is that the LORD promised to make His holy Presence dwell among us, and we would be God's very own treasured people:

"I will put my dwelling place among you, and I will not abhor you. 12 I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people." Leviticus 26:11-12

• The Promise of Curses from Rejecting Torah:

On the other hand, if we disobey the LORD and do not study and perform the commandments (mitzvot), and if we reject his ordinances (chukkim) and abhor his statutes (mishpatim), then we will be considered covenant-breakers, and we will experience all manner of distress and tribulation in our lives:

“But if you will not listen to me and will not do all these commandments, 15 if you spurn my statutes, and if your soul abhors my rules, so that you will not do all my commandments, but break my covenant, 16 then I will do this to you: I will visit you with panic, with wasting disease and fever that consume the eyes and make the heart ache. And you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it." 

Leviticus 26:14-16

We will experience panic attacks, diseases, heartache, and all manner of tsuris (trouble). Our enemies will eat our increase and those who hate us will rule over us. We shall flee at the rustle of a leaf, and our lives will be full of terror and misery - all because we did not take the time to put the LORD and His word first in our lives.

If we refuse to do teshuvah (repentance) and return to the LORD, the worst punishment of all would befall us: exile from the land and from the Presence of the LORD Himself.

"Then the land shall enjoy its Sabbaths as long as it lies desolate, while you are in your enemies' land; then the land shall rest, and enjoy its Sabbaths." Leviticus 26:34

Nonetheless, despite our disobedience, God's mercy toward us would never fully depart, for, as ADONAI promises in His Word:

"If they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers in their treachery that they committed against me, and also in walking contrary to me, so that I walked contrary to them and brought them into the land of their enemies- if then their uncircumcised heart is humbled and they make amends for their iniquity, then I will remember my covenant with Jacob, and I will remember my covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land." Leviticus 26:41-3

What an awesome ADONAI we serve! One who is willing to forgive and forget all of our iniquities, One who does not treat us as our sins deserve! He loves us unconditionally and longs to be in relationship with us, all the days of our lives!

"He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:

8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;10 He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;" Psalm 103:7-13

The portion concludes with laws on vows and dedications, highlighting the importance of intentional commitments.

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📜 Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19–17:14

In this prophetic reading, Jeremiah contrasts the futility of idol worship with the strength found in trusting ADONAI:

• False Trust: Those who rely on human strength are likened to a barren bush in the desert.

• True Trust: Those who trust in God are compared to a tree planted by water, flourishing even in drought.

The passage emphasizes the importance of sincere faith and the dangers of turning away from divine guidance.

• The Story: 1 Samuel 28:3–25 – Saul and the Witch of Endor

 What happened?

• The prophet Samuel had died, and Saul was desperate for guidance as the Philistines prepared to attack.

• Saul sought God, but received no answer—no dreams, no Urim (priestly method), no prophets.

• In desperation, Saul did what he himself had outlawed: he consulted a medium (a necromancer) at Endor, disguising himself.

The Medium’s Role:

• Saul asked her to call up the spirit of Samuel.

• The woman was frightened when a spirit actually appeared, realizing she was speaking to King Saul.

• A “spirit” claiming to be Samuel rebuked Saul, predicting his defeat and death the next day (which did happen).

Was Saul Deceived?

Yes—and here’s how:

1. Deceived by Disobedience: Saul was told by God not to consult the dead (see below), yet he did it anyway, violating Torah law.

2. Deceived by Darkness: Though the text says “Samuel” spoke, many scholars and commentators believe:

• It was not actually Samuel, but a demonic impersonation or a deceptive manifestation permitted by God as a judgment.

• The medium had no real power to raise the dead but was surprised when a spirit actually appeared.

What Does the Torah Say?

• Leviticus 19:31 – “Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the LORD your God.”

• Deuteronomy 18:10–12 – “There shall not be found among you anyone… who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer… For whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD.”

Lessons from Saul’s Mistake:

1. God is not a tool: We can’t force Him to speak when we want if we’ve been disobedient.

2. Don’t seek the dead or spiritual shortcuts: Turning to forbidden practices leads to deception and judgment.

3. Faith means trusting even in silence: Saul’s fear drove him to rebellion. David, by contrast, waited patiently for God’s timing.

One of the Bible’s strangest stories is about King Saul and the Witch of Endor and the condemnation Saul received for consulting a medium.

In First Samuel 28:1-25, Saul sees the huge Philistine army encamped against him and God does not respond to his entreaties because he had failed to destroy the idolatrous Amalekites.

Until today Israel is suffering the attacks of the Amalekites because of this disobedience by Saul, for not having destroyed them when ADONAI had commanded him to do so.

Prayer:

LORD, help us to do what is right in Your sight! Help us to wait patiently upon you, waiting for your perfect timing to act on our behalf. Give us spiritual eyes to see and ears to hear what your Ruach Ha'Kodesh (Holy Spirit) is saying to us at this time!

And when you call us to act in obedience unto you, we thank You for empowering us and giving us everything we need unto godliness and good deeds so that we may be vessels of honor, being used by You, for Your glory, for Your Name's sake! As you have promised in Your Word in 2 Peter 1:3-4

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."

ABBA, Your Kingdom come, Your will being done in our earth, our lives, as it is in heaven! In YESHUA'S Mighty Name!

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THANK YOU to all who have given so generously to 

RESTORE ISRAEL MINISTRY AND TO WARRIOR WOMAN,

FOR ELIHANA'S HEALTH!

You are such an important part of this work, with your prayers and financial support! 

Please Continue to lift up Elihana's health in prayer and to support her financially, as her treatments are expensive and are not covered by health insurance. She has requested to "Please keep me lifted in prayer for divine protection, wisdom in every decision, and full healing—for the glory of God."

YES AND AMEN!! We come into full agreement with Elihana's prayer, in YESHUA'S MIGHTY NAME! And we declare that by YESHUA'S stripes, Elihana has already been fully healed, in accordance to Isaiah 53:5:

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."

LORD, we thank You for answering every one of our prayers for Elihana, as we lift her up before your Throne Room of grace today. We thank You LORD that the prayers of the righteous avails much!

We lift up Your Name on high YESHUA, and we praise You for the assured victory Elihana has in YOU! HalelluYah! In Yeshua's Mighty Name, Amen!

BLESS ELIHANA TODAY !