A Thought on Parshas B'chukosai

"...im bechukosai telechu..." "...if you walk according to my statutes..." (26:3) "...v'im lo tishm'u Li..." "...and if you do not listen to Me..." (26:14) There is a much-beloved approach taken by Rashi on the opening verse here, who notes that "walking the statutes" cannot be a euphemism for observing mitzvos, since the verse later states directly that we must observe the mitzvos. Rather, Rashi interprets the "walking the statutes" expression as doing more than keeping the commandments; it means laboring in Torah to fill our experience of mitzvah observance. The Panae'ach Raza offers a different interpretation. He notes that the prior parsha, Behar, was focused on observing the shmitta laws. To the unbelievers or the pragmatists, neglecting our crops is virtually suicidal. With seasonal complications and other realities, not having food to harvest makes the survival of people and of the economy a serious challenge. The fact that we trust in the Torah's promise that by observing shmitta, HaShem will guarantee that we do not go hungry, is tantamount to a chok - a statute which is hard to comprehend. HaShem pledges to us that we will not starve or suffer, our crops will be abundant with surplus to store, and the rains will fall in a timely and nourishing pattern. Hence, our verse proclaims that when we will observe "the embedded chukim of shmitin and yovlos without worry", we shall reap the bounty of HaShem's goodness. The Panae'ach Raza suggests that the term chukim here refers to the embedded principles of creation - the rules which the earth will follow - upon our observing, or neglecting, the rules of shmitta and yovel. The second verse simply seems to state the contrapositive of our first verse. Namely, if we do not follow HaShem's commandments, all bets are off. We will not be able to rely upon Him preserving those embedded principles, and the world will begin to function on less miraculous standards. We will not find the seasons and the rain and the economy cooperating with us. The world will not longer appear to be supportive of our lifestyle. That all makes sense. What draws the attention of the Panae'ach Raza is the small word "Li." The verse could have said "and if you do not listen." We already know that the topic, or the grammatical subject of the verse, is HaShem, whom we would be disregarding by neglecting the dictates of the Torah. What is the purpose of saying "and if you do not listen...to Me"? On this the Panae'ach Raza offers that one level of transgression is when we neglect to adhere to the Torah. A deeper level of iniquity is when we acknowledge HaShem's Presence and Sovereignty and still dismiss His words. That becomes an act of defiance, as if we are intending to rebel against Him. That is the challenge of a person who has become knowledgeable of Torah yet who is hypocritical, displaying conduct inconsistent with his own understanding and beliefs. Those who "know HaShem" yet do not follow His ways are creating a greater theological travesty than those who are ignorant of Torah. It is for that reason the Torah pronounces that "not listening to Me" leads to the more horrid consequences. Good Shabbos D Fox