Parshas Behar-Bechukosai 5786
- Torah Tavlin
- 18 hours ago
- 2 min read
את שבתתי תשמרו ומקדשי תיראו אני ה'... (כו-ב)
In concluding the halachos of Jewish slaves, the Torah warns against Avoda Zarah, commands Shabbos observance, and instructs to fear the Bais Hamikdash. Rashi explains that this warning applies especially to a Jewish slave owned by a non-Jew, who might feel pressured to adopt his master’s lifestyle. How does this explain the mention of fearing the Bais Hamikdash?
There is a fundamental distinction in a Yid’s Avodas Hashem. Amongst other nations, there is a separation of church and state, if you will. Holiness is confined to designated spiritual settings, while everyday life remains mundane. Contrastly, serving Hashem is all encompassing. A beracha elevates the food we eat, money is earned to support Shabbos and Yom Tov expenses, tuition, and Tzedaka, and even a casual walk can fulfill the words of the Torah: "לא תתורו אחרי לבבכם ואחרי עיניכם". Every moment of our day is filled with Avodas Hashem.
The Gemara in Yevamos (6a) darshens the connection between Shabbos and the Bais Hamikdash in this pasuk: “Just as the awe of Shabbos is not from the day itself, but from He Who commanded Shabbos, so too, the fear of the Mikdash is not from the building but from He Who commanded it.” Many Halachos govern the sanctity of the Bais Hamikdash, but one must recall that it is Hashem’s Shechina dwelling there which demands the added respect. This, explains R’ Moshe Feinstein zt”l, is the lesson for the slave of the non-Jew. Even in a foreign environment, do not forget that Hashem is truly everywhere, and His honor must guide all of our actions. The Seforno adds a homiletical reading in these posukim which is a lesson for all of us. "אם עוד רבות בשנים" - even if the Galus is prolonged, and we have been sold by our Master to be servants to lowly nations, do not serve them, "כי אני ה' אלקיכם", Hashem has never forsaken us.
Even in exile we must keep Shabbos and preserve honor in our Batei Mikdash Me’at, our Shuls and Batei Medrash. Indeed, even in exile, our life is an elevated one. How lucky we are to lead a different type of life as children of Hashem!