Parashat Bechukotai - Seventh Aliyah

The final aliyah of the Book of Vayikra concludes the laws of valuations and closes the entire book with a verse that frames everything: all was given at Sinai, all through Moses, all between God and the children of Israel.

Cherem of a person. “Kol cherem asher yacharam min ha’adam lo yipadeh mot yumat” (verse 29). The most difficult verse in the aliyah. A cherem imposed on a person, such as one sentenced to death by the court, cannot be redeemed. There is no ransom for a life. The law here is absolute, teaching that there are boundaries that cannot be crossed even with money.

The tithe of the land. “Vekhol ma’asar ha’aretz mizera ha’aretz mipri ha’etz l’Adonai hu kodesh l’Adonai” (verse 30). A tenth of every yield, from seed and from fruit, belongs to God. One who wishes to redeem the tithe adds a fifth. That is to say: you can keep the produce for yourself, but the cost is higher than giving.

The tithe of animals. “Vekhol ma’asar bakar vatzon kol asher ya’avor tachat hashavet ha’asiri yihyeh kodesh l’Adonai” (verse 32). The animals pass one by one under the rod, and the tenth is marked as holy. “Lo yevaker bein tov lara velo yemirenu” (verse 33). One may not choose, one may not exchange. Whatever comes out tenth is the holy one. Even if it is blemished, even if the next one is better. There is a deep principle here: holiness does not depend on quality, but on order. God does not ask for the best, but for the tenth.

The closing of the Book of Vayikra. “Eleh hamitzvot asher tzivah Adonai et Moshe el bnei Yisra’el beHar Sinai” (verse 34). One verse that seals an entire book. Everything stated in the Book of Vayikra, from sacrifices to valuations, from impurity and purity to the sabbatical year and the Jubilee, all comes from one place: Mount Sinai. All through one person: Moses. And all directed to one people: the children of Israel. Chazak chazak venitchazek.