Parashat Behar/Behukotai (Leviticus 25:1-27:34)

A weekly Torah exploration for families by Michael S. Raileanu, M.A.Ed.

A weekly Torah exploration for families by Michael S. Raileanu, M.A.Ed.

Have a fun and safe Lag B'Omer.

Behar/Behukotai (Leviticus 25:1 - 27:34) gives us one more double parasha shabbat. We also finish the book of Vayikra (Leviticus) with these parashiyot. This time we get some agricultural laws, some financial laws and a discussion about vows. Doesn't it always seem like Vayikra just zips by?

In the last few weeks we have had a couple of double parashiyot. Why did the rabbis decide to double them up here? Why not Beresheet/Noach (the first two parashiyot of the entire Torah) or Ha'azinu/V'zot HaBracha (the last two)? Why are these parashiyot from Leviticus such good candidates for doubling?
There is a part this week where we learn about how seriously the Torah views taking a vow. Why is that so important to the Torah? What exactly is a "vow"? Is it the same thing as when we say, "If you don't stop it, I swear I am going to..."? Or how about when we say, "Mom if you get me the _____, I promise I will take out the garbage for the rest of my life!" Is that a vow? What makes a vow a vow? Have you made any real vows? Did you keep it/them? If not, why not? What happened between you and the other person if you did not keep your vow?
Every seven years we are supposed to let the land sit untouched and on the 50th year, too. You are also supposed to release all debts in those years. Why did the Jewish people have to find a way to change those rules? How would leaving those rules alone affect the way people do business?
Leviticus 37:34 says, "These are the commandments, which the Lord commanded Moses for the Children of Israel on Sinai." Now, haven't all of the commandments been for the children of Israel. Why does that have to be said here? We end Leviticus with that statement. What does that mean? What might the Torah think people are thinking about Leviticus?
Tonight is Lag B'Omer -- the 33rd day of the Counting of the Omer (Lammed = 30 and Gimmel = 3, 30+3=33). Do you know why or what we celebrate this day? Why is it traditional to have bonfires tonight? What do bows and arrows have to do with the counting of the Omer? Is there any connection at all? Where can you go to find this kind of information?