Deception and Dependency
DECEPTION AND DEPENDENCY: PARSHAT BEHAR
Shira Smiles Shiur – 2015/5775
Summary by Channie Koplowitz Stein
Parshat Behar includes the laws of Shemittah and Yovel, years when the land has its Sabbatical and Jubilee years and is to lie fallow and unworked. Included in this context is the reassurance that Hashem will provide food during the Shemittah year when no crops were planted, and the following year when no crops would grow, and even the year after that until such time that the newly planted crops will ripen. However, in the midst of all these laws of the land, the Torah seems to have inserted a command about business dealings that would seem more appropriate inParshat Mishpatim which discusses the interpersonal laws that affect the relationship between man and his fellow man. The segment reads: “When you make a sale to your fellow or make a purchase from the hand of your fellow, do not aggrieve one another. … Each of you shall not aggrieve his fellow, and you shall fear your God; for I am Hashem, your God.” What is the relationship between these commands and the Shemittah laws?
The Yalkut Lekach Tov refers to the GR”A’s teaching that the first word in the Torah forms an anagram that presents the six foundations necessary for the Torah to exist: B-R-Ai-Sh-(Y)I-T. The very first foundation of Torah is Bitachon, faith and a secure belief that Hashem runs the world. That must be followed by Ratzon, the desire to accept God and do His wishes. Only then can we reach Ahavah, a love of God. This then is followed by Shetikah, silence and acceptance of all that happens to us as a manifestation of His will. We reach Yirah, awe of Hashem. When we have internalized these attributes, we become a worthy vessel for Torah. One notes that the very first step is bitachon, full faith that Hashem runs the world through Divine providence. That reliance will bring equanimity and calm and peacefulness into our lives.
We can readily understand how a farmer relying on Hashem during the Sabbatical and Yovelyears is a sign of his trust in Hakodosh Boruch Hu. But few of us today are involved in agriculture, even in Eretz Yisroel. Yet that same faith must permeate people’s business relationships as well, notes Rabbi Uziel Milevsky. When a person cheats in business, he denies the Torah principle that Hashem provides for all our needs, as he is now trying to manipulate situations for his benefit, even against God’s commands. Rabbi Pam offers examples of how both a storekeeper and a customer might fall into the “cheating” trap. The storekeeper could denigrate merchandise simply because he doesn’t carry that brand and a customer might denigrate merchandise hoping to get a better deal. Neither practice is acceptable. Both the storekeeper and the customer are acting as if they can control what they get rather than relying on Hashem’s judgment to provide all that they need. Whether it is the farmer observing Shemittah or the businessman in commerce, all must have faith that Hashem decrees and provides for all their needs from one Rosh Hashanah to the next.
Our Sages tell us that one of the questions our souls will be asked when it returns to its Maker in heaven will be, “Did you deal faithfully in business.” Rabbi Dovid Hofstedter offers a unique interpretation to that test. Rabbi Hofstedter explains that we will be asked if, while involved in business, did we ply our trade with the full faith that our success and profitability is totally dependent on Hashem and we need to work only because Hashem wants us to put in our own effort. With such faith, we will not be tempted to cheat. Further, if we rely on Hashem for our sustenance, we can lend money to our neighbor without interest, whereas the usurer is convinced that the interest he charges, rather than Hakodosh Boruch Hu, is supporting him.
Rabbi Chayim Kofman cites an interesting analogy based on gematria (numerical calculation) from the Baal Haturim. Neshech (charging interest on a loan), he posits, is equal numerically to zeh nachash, this is the serpent. Both equal 370. What is the connection? Rabbi Kofman writes that just as the serpent severed his connection to the Creator by enticing Chava to sin, so too does the man who charges interest on a loan sever that relationship. The serpent no longer needs to cry out to Hashem, for his food, the dust of the earth, is ubiquitous. Similarly, the usurer no longer prays because he feels the interest he charges guarantees his sustenance.
Reinforcing the similarity between charging interest and not observing Shemittah, the Torah notes similar punishments for the two, writes Rabbi Hofstedter. The landowner will lose his land and the usurer will lose his possessions. Constantly reminding ourselves that everything we have comes from Hashem and reinforcing that faith and bitachon will keep us scrupulously honest and maintain our integrity. The laws of Shemittah, although dealing with an agrarian society, are not arcane but are relevant today to teach us that nothing happens in this world without Divine providence. The laws teach us about faith, writes the Tosher Rebbe in Avodath Avodah.
Interestingly, after commanding us about usury, the Torah returns to discuss the laws of the Sabbatical year with a question one might ask: “What will we eat in the seventh year?” Rabbi Schlesinger in Elah Devarim addresses this seemingly unnecessary revisiting of Shemittah by explaining that it is not the farmer who would ask this question. The very act of planting seeds and waiting for the crop to grow fills the farmer with faith, for he knows he cannot control the weather. The question is one a lender or businessman might pose who thinks he controls his success. The reassurance that Hashem gives is not so much for the farmer who already understands God’s bounty, but for the businessman who is afraid that if he doesn’t charge as much as he is able to get, his livelihood may be in danger. Therefore, the question of what will we eat is relevant not only for the seventh and eighth years but for every year of our lives. Live every year with security, writes Rabbi Doniel Ochion in Ohr Doniel. Enjoy the world’s bounty today without being consumed by worry about saving it for the future (This does not mean be wasteful.), for Hashem provides our needs every day, every year. Further, just as investing in Shabbos affects the atmosphere and brings blessings to the coming week, so does investing in the Shemittah year provide blessings for the upcoming cycle of six additional years, writes Rabbi Kofman.
Rabbi Sholom Schwadron, the Maggid of Yerushalayim, expands beautifully on this idea, reinforcing it with a pointed parable. He observes that somewhere in the eighth year we begin feeling “free” and stop questioning where our food is coming from. However, we must continue to understand that Hashem is still providing for us even though we are now planting and reaping. Our prayers should not now become perfunctory as we rush to go about our daily business, whether it’s actually planting or having an early morning business meeting. We should energize our day at the beginning with Shacharit, recharge at Mincha, and take small energy boosts throughout the day with regular recitation of brachot as we munch on snacks. Constantly turning our minds toward Hashem will remind us that our work and effort is just one conduit the Almighty uses to grant us our blessings and daily sustenance so that we will feel as if we are really contributing and earning our livelihood.
Rabbi Schwadron offers us the story of Tomele. Every day Tomele arose, ready for work. His wife packed his lunch, snacks and drinks, and each day Tomele would go to a major intersection into Yerushalayim to direct traffic. His job was very important, and he took pride in performing it conscientiously, waving some cars through and stopping others. He felt responsible for the proper and safe flow of traffic into Yerushalayim even though there was a traffic light at the intersection. Tomele believed he controlled the flow of traffic, not the traffic signal.
We are all “Tomeles”, continues Rabbi Schwadron. We all believe our efforts control the flow of goods and services we receive from Heaven. In truth, there is a Master Traffic Controller in heaven Who directs the flow of everything that enters or leaves our lives. Just as Tomele needs to relax and realize he is not in charge, so do we too need to relax and realize that Hashem is in charge. While we must do our hishtadlus, put in our effort, Hashem runs the show. The laws of Shemittahhelp us learn that Hashem provides for us with or without our own “work”, so we need to have faith and let go.
Rabbi Mattisyahu Salomon offers a different perspective on the purpose of our work, even if it does not determine our business success. Rabbi Salomon posits that working provides two benefits. First, it keeps us occupied so that we do not fall prey easily to the yetzer horo, and, carrying that idea a step further, working provides us with additional opportunities to do mitzvoth. Our efforts should be more deeply invested in our prayers and in the mitzvoth than in toiling in our businesses. Our “power meetings” should be more with Hakodosh Boruch Hu than with the latest business prospect. God is watching over us. The question of “What shall we eat” is a question that should resonate with us daily, not just during the Shemittah year. Break out of the Tomele mindset.
We say our Morning Prayers, including the Morning Blessings. Rabbi Kofman points out that while the second half of the blessings are all said in the plural – “Who gives sight to the blind”,“Who clothes the naked,” etc. – one is said in the singular – “Who provides me my every need.”Observing the laws of Shemittah trains us in the belief and faith that Hashem is watching over me personally and gives me all I need.