Behar: Radical Reliance

Abstract

In Parshat Behar, the idea of the Sabbatical year, both its restrictions and aspirational values, are delineated in detail. The verses convey psychological attunement to the fact that not working the land for an entire year would engender anxiety. How would individuals and the broader society be economically sustained? Anticipating this mindset, the verse states, “And should you ask, “What are we to eat in the seventh year, if we may neither sow nor gather in our crops?” (Lev. 25:20). The Torah validates, accepts, and expects the natural human desire for financial security and predictability. God, in turn, makes a guarantee in the next verse that there will be enough produce. (from Introduction)