III-10 Bechukotai: Creating a Personal Environment
Bechukotai, Bechukosai, Vayikra, Leviticus, Tochacha, Admonitions, Blessing, Warnings, curse, angels, Pirkei Avos, Ethics of the Fathers, free choice, personal decision, good or bad, personal accountability, Shavuot, High Holidays, giving of Torah, personal responsibility
III-10 Bechukotai In My Laws 26 May Bechukotai 27-28 Shabbat
Torah: Lv 26:3-27:34 JPS
http://learn.jtsa.edu/topics/parashah/jp...
Haftorah: Jer 16:19-17:19 JPS
http://learn.jtsa.edu/topics/parashah/jp...
Aliyot:
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1. Lv 26:3-5
2. Lv 26:6-9
3. Lv 26:10-46
4. Lv 27:1-15
5. Lv 27:16:21
6. Lv 27:22-28
7. Lv 27:29-34
OVERVIEW:
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Bechukotai contains a renewal of the Covenant with Israel with its conditions: a Blessing if the Israelites walk in the way of the Lord and a curse, if they do not follow the decrees and commandments. The blessing of Israel appears short (v4-11) in comparison to the Tochacha (v 14-45) or warning; but this is illusive for the blessing includes peaceful habitation, plentitude harvest, political independence and superiority over enemies and national development with sufficient base for future population growth with the assurance of God's presence in the midst. God warns that if Israel despises the statues and breaks the commandments, thereby breaking the covenant made at Sinai, the negative consequences. The positive and negative are paired in polarity, reflecting the dual nature of mankind and his personal determination of his own destiny beginning with his decision in the Garden of Eden.
IN FOCUS
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"If you follow My laws and faithfully observe My commandments, I will grant your rains in their seasons, so that the earth shall yield its produce and the trees of the field their fruit.." Lv 26:3-4
"I will establish My abode in your midst, and I will not spurn you. I will be ever present in your midst, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people." Lv 26:11-12
"If you break My laws and spurn Mr rules, so that you do not observe all My commandments and break My covenant, I will in turn do this to you..." Lv 26:15
CREATING A PERSONAL ENVIRONMENT
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The Tochacha is read twice a year: once during the forty-nine days of counting the Omer leading to Shavuot which commemorates the giving of the Torah and in the month of Elul before the High Holy Days, calling us to repentance, to reconsider our paths. We are accountable for our actions in the garden that we plant. God calls, "Where are you? What is this that you have done?" From the earliest of times, God warns, "But if you do not do right, sin crouches at the door; its urge is towards you, yet you can be the master."
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