Parshas Behar-Bechukotai: Honesty is the Best Policy

We have a double Torah portion this week, Behar-Bechukotai, Vayikra (Leviticus) 25:1 - 27:34. Parshas Behar, Leviticus 25:1 - 26:2, focuses on laws related to land management, real estate and various transactions. Following God's rules in these areas produces abundance and liberty; not following God's rules in these areas produces destitution and servitude.

Of special relevance to us is verse 25:14, You shall not defraud one another.

Cheating, defrauding, lying and deceiving happen as a matter of course in modern business. Online scams. biased news, false medical and slanted scientific research studies, and yes, the ultimate lie that gets repeated over and over in the relentless pursuit of profit - it's not alive until it's born.

We're back to that again because someone who believes this greatest of all lies is set up to believe every other lie that harms and destroys. The baby in the womb is alive at conception and it is a mental delusion to deny this in the face of scientific proof to the contrary, as well as many biblical references to relational and sentient human life in the womb. For example, Genesis 25:23, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”

The pro-life movement works on many fronts to secure the right to life of every human being from conception to natural death. This idea of life as an intrinsic right beginning at conception comes from Genesis 9:6-7, “He who spills the blood of man within man shall have his blood spilt, for in the image of God made He man. And you, be fruitful, and multiply; fill the earth, and multiply therein. As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it.”

For those who draw a distinction between laws pertaining to Noahides or non-Jews vs laws pertaining to Jews, it is clear that the prohibition against destroying innocent human life in the womb is biblical and pertains to everyone. The Talmudic reference to laws pertaining to Jews and non-Jews alike appears in Talmud Tosafot (Sanhedrin 59a)

Feticide is expressly forbidden under the statutes of the Noachide Code and deduces that feticide is prohibited to Jews by virtue of the talmudic principle, "Is there anything which is forbidden to a Noachide yet permitted to a Jew?” Application of this principle clearly establishes a biblical prohibition that applies to Jews. See Abortion in Judaism

Our second Torah portion this week, Bechukotai, Leviticus 26:3 - 27:34, opens with God calling on the Israelites to thoroughly accept and follow the Divine blueprint for living given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. The Almighty commands the nation of Israel to embrace this new way of life so that they may glorify Him and testify to His greatness. 

HaShem knows the Israelites are unpracticed and skeptical of this new way of life, so He encourages them by outlining the earthly rewards they will derive if they do so. They will enjoy abundant harvests, peace, fertility and healthy children, successful warfare, happiness, and the inner peace and satisfaction in life that comes from unconditional obedience to God’s will. They are also well informed of the consequences of rejecting His guidelines and undermining His authority. They will be cursed with famine, sickness, barrenness, invasion, and dispersion into foreign lands where they will be oppressed by tyrannical rulers, persecuted and killed. These natural vectors of positive or negative energy represent spiritual laws established by God. Because His covenant with us remains constant, vital and enduring, we alone are responsible for their force and direction.

God allows us to create a living hell so that we eventually lose faith in our limited human understanding and abilities, and then acknowledge our need for Him, align our will with His, and look to Him for help, favor, rescue and salvation. Hope for Israel endures because God promises to redeem us no matter our failings or mistakes - if and when our repentance is absolute, intentional and serious. We can believe this because we know that God exists and that He loves us enough to save us from ourselves. His Presence reveals itself with each miracle of life, healing and renewal - gifts from which there is no human agent.

Our birthright as Jews is to accept a way of life that demonstrates and acknowledges God’s Presence, power, and love for us. This we do because we recognize His blessings and want to put our gratitude into actions that honor Him. We gratefully provide life sustaining help and encouragement to anyone struggling with lack of faith, paralyzing shame, bewilderment and personal despair. Whatever our station in life, we can reach out with information, education, and direction well founded in Torah’s life sustaining principles. 

The portion ends listing various ways of supporting the Tabernacle and priests. God’s dwelling place within our hearts, minds, and communities requires frequent contributions of time and money. More importantly are the profound sacrifices of reputation, approval or livelihood that may result as a consequence of taking actions that protect innocent human life from intentional slaughter. In the death culture in which we live, speaking in favor of innocent life, especially innocent human life in the womb, requires courage, moral integrity, and unwavering faith in Providence. These actions not only save precious lives, they provide a living testimonial of the earthly rewards and spiritual salvation that comes from honoring HaShem.

In our Haftarah portion this week, Yirmiyahu (Jeremiah) 16:19 - 17:14, Jeremiah foretells of a time when generational deceptions bring ruin and hopelessness. A time like ours when many Jews and non-Jews believe the lies that human beings in the womb are not alive nor do they have a right to life under law. Jeremiah cries out, "Lord, Who are my power and my strength and my refuge in the day of trouble, to You nations will come from the ends of the earth and say, "Only lies have our fathers handed down to us, emptiness in which there is nothing of any avail!"

Hope for renewal persists, however. The portion ends as the prophet reassures us that God stands ready to restore our brokenness and bless us whenever we appeal to Him: "Heal me, O G‑d, then shall I be healed; help me, then I shall be helped, for You are my praise!"

Please share this post on your social media to amplify our message in this troubled world. Thank you.

Cecily Routman

May there be abundant peace from Heaven, and good life upon us and upon all Israel. Amen. 

Cecily Routman is the founder and president of the Jewish Pro-Life Foundation. She opposes abortion homicide in general and among Jews in particular and laments secular policy making in Israel that results in loss of Jewish life and delays the messianic redemption. She envisions a Torah based holy Land of Israel and a world that respects the life of every human being from conception.