VOLUME 115 NUMBER 7
Iyar 25, 5785
May 23, 2025
Parshas Behar Bechukosai
Candlelighting Time 7:57
We are forewarned by the Torah that upon ignoring our obligations there will be retribution. Unfortunately, we have seen this fulfilled many times in our past. The commentators explain that the chastisement mentioned in this parsha refers to the destruction of the first Beis Hamikdash. The downfall of the nation at that time was terrible and the subsequent exile to Bavel, as short as it was, created havoc in the purity of our nation. However, at the end of the parsha Hashem reminds us that He will not forget His people and through remembering our Patriarch Yaakov we will be redeemed. Rashi explains this further stating that five times the name of Yaakov is written with a ‘vav’ and the name of Eliyahu is lacking the last letter, the ‘vav.’ The point being that Yaakov ‘took’ the ‘vav’ from Eliyahu as an assurance that he will come and liberate the nation from exile. There are many questions pending why was it required that five times Yaakov’s name had to be spelled with a ‘vav,’ why wasn’t once enough? Furthermore, is it so important that the letter ‘vav’ was involved in this guarantee for our future salvation? Additionally, Hashem swore that He would deliver us from our exile amongst the nations, did Eliyahu have to confirm that promise?
Maharal in his explanation of this statement prefaces that there are two fundamental principles that we must accept. First Eliyahu was created to be the redeemer of our nation from its exile. That was his life’s mission and only upon completing that objective is his life fulfilled. Secondly, the ability for our nation to realize redemption is a function that only relates to Yaakov and his children. They are the facilitators of that goal. Now we can begin to understand Rashi’s comment.
Although Avrohom and Yitzchok were primary architects of our people, Yaakov took their strengths and integrated them into the very being of our nation. The commentators refer to this depth of Yaakov as a trait of majesty. To interweave the power of Avrohom’s characteristic of ultimate kindness and Yitzchok’s forte of dynamism is a level of spiritual greatness and splendor. That created state laid the groundwork for the Jewish people that was perpetuated by his twelve sons. Even though they were twelve, which is a significant number as the twelve signs of the Zodiac, they blended into one as the promulgation of their father’s prominence and distinction. And we carry that torch into our pockets of exile that we have endured during the centuries.
Eliyahu is distinguished as the angel of the covenant. Our tradition states that Pinchas who avenged the honor of the people when Zimri cohabitated with the princess of Midian and he without hesitation or external encouragement killed a prince of Israel to retaliate against the inroads that the Midian nation had developed which corrupted the purity of our people. The assimilation they had fostered was arrested with his courageous act of reliance upon the guidance of Hashem that he would protect him as the Midrash clearly states. Pinchas is Eliyahu and with this incredible feat of honor he merited eternal life. And in the future the prophet Malachi foretells that Eliyahu will be sent from Hashem and will return the hearts of our nation to their source, Hashem. The ‘vav’ the last letter in Eliyahu’s name depicts his deficiency and inadequacy until the very end of days when he will liberate us from our troubles. And we may also assume that Torah itself, Hashem’s word reaches its apex of attainment as His people return with full hearts of pride and glory to serve Him.
A BYTE FOR SHABBOS
The commandment of Shmita, to allow the land to rest every seven years indicates that we realize that Hashem is the source of all that we enjoy. With that realization Hashem’s Name is boosted and enhanced. However, if we ignore that mitzvah then Hashem ‘needs’ to bar us from our land demonstrating that indeed He rules and we must obey the Torah. S’FAS EMES
GOOD SHABB0S
