Parashat BeChukotai
May 31, 2019
26 Iyar 5779

Candle Lighting: 7:33 p.m.
Dear Friends, 

Our Torah portion this week, BeChukotai , provides us with a list of rewards for those who follow God’s commandments. Leviticus 23:6 says “If you pursue my laws and keep my commandments and observe them, I will give you rain in its proper time and the land will yield its produce…”

Most traditional rabbinic commentators would like to think that those who perform mitzvot and observe traditional Jewish law are rewarded. Nevertheless, they find the list presented in this week’s Torah portion to be incomplete. That is because all of the rewards listed are physical and material, not spiritual. The medieval philosophical work, the Kuzari, suggests that the list of potential rewards in our Parashah is material and physical on purpose. According to the Kuzari, the list is meant to convince and encourage the skeptic who denies God’s place in the world, to be more observant.

But the Rambam understands our portion a bit differently. According to the Rambam, the list of tangible rewards in our Torah portion is merely God removing physical obstacles that could actually interfere or prevent us from observing mitzvot. Rambam reminds us that we are not supposed to observe the mitzvot because we want to be rewarded. Rather we observe mitzvot for “the sake of heaven.” Doing mitzvot, following Jewish law and tradition can be meaningful and fulfilling, helping us feel more spiritually connected and closer to God. 

We all observe a variety of mitzvot for a variety of different reasons; some are much more easily understood and explained than others. Sometimes we may see tangible benefits, while others times we may not. But, however it is that we choose to observe and follow God’s laws, my hope and prayer for us this Shabbat and beyond is that it brings us closer to each other, our community, and God.

Shabbat Shalom ,

Josh Dorsch 
May 31: 5:30 p.m. My Family Shabbat ,
followed by a Potluck Dinner
6:15 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat ,
where our graduating High Schoolers will be honored
June 1: 9:30 a.m. Shabbat Service
Havdalah: 8:41 p.m.