Parshas Bechukosai

Parshas Bechukosai discusses the different b’rachos and k’lallos (blessings and curses) that were given by Hashem to the B’nai Yisroel (Jewish people) for keeping mitzvos (commandments) and not keeping them.

The passuk (passage) says, “they will confess their sin and the sin of their ancestors for the treachery that they committed against Me (Hashem)… I will also walk contrary to them…” (26:40-41)

Rabbi Ovadiah Figu (a.k.a. the Binah L’Ittim) asks, if the B’nai Yisroel confess their sin then why are they still going to be punished?

He answers that the sages explain that even if a person confesses to his avairah (sin) as long as he repents he will be forgiven but he won’t be forgiven for just his confession.

We have learned that there is a three/four step process of Tishuva (repentance). 1. Acknowledge the sin committed, 2. Regret the fact that the sin was committed, 3. Ask for forgiveness, and last 4. Try to avoid the sin in the future.

Rabbi Ephraim Wachsman compares avairos (sins) to garbage, and he explained that one who holds back from doing Tishuvah is immersed in this spiritual filth or garbage and the longer one holds back it as if he is saying “I know You (Hashem) blessed me with this pure and beautiful neshama (soul) but I’m comfortable with it being covered in the most disgusting filth for now, eventually I will get around to cleaning it (by doing Tishuva).“

May we all be strong in our convictions and observance of the mitzvos so we will receive blessing and not curse but if Chas V’Shalom we should fall into sin we should learn that confession must be followed by the rest of the Tishuva process. May we develop the proper yirah and ahava (fear and love of Hashem) that we all run to do Tishuva when we have sinned! -Amen!

CHAZAK, CHAZAK, VENISCHAZEIK!

(Be Strong! Be Strong! And May We Be Strengthened!)

- We have just concluded the third book of Moses a.k.a. Vayikra!

HAVE A GREAT SHABBOS AND WEEKEND!

Stay tuned for next week as we begin the fourth book of Moses called Bamidbar

 and we will be strarting off with it’s title track!