In this week’s Parsha, once again, we are presented the curses and the blessings that will be bestowed upon Israel. If we are good, we will be blessed, however, if we fail to act good and choose to sin, we will be punished. 

In Parashat Bechukotai we are essentially told the exact same message. So why the repetition? There is definitely a difference about the message that we are being told in comparison to the last 2 parashot. The difference seems subtle yet it changes the entire message.

The difference is the speaker! In parshat Bechukotai the speaker is Hashem and therefore the message is more direct. Almost like a father rebuking his child. However, in this week’s portion the message is from Moshe. Moshe is like a mother figure. Moshe‘s message is given through love, he is our leader, someone we can relate to because he is also human and has flaws.

It is no coincidence now that the Jews are about to enter Israel and they’ve already committed sins, such as the golden calf for example, they need to be gently reminded to keep Hashem’s commandment of guarding and performing the mitzvot.

The Jewish people are very excited and emotions are running high, so the appropriate way to remind them is through true love and softness because at the end of the day it’s a very happy spiritual time and rebuking would be inappropriate. It would lower the beauty of the miracle which is the opposite of what is needed before entering the land.

It’s no coincidence that we read this Parasha before Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. We spend the month of Elul saying selichot and as the days get closer we purify ourselves through immersing in water as well as giving charity.

One idea behind all this is so that we are gradually eased into the High Holidays feeling a love and attachment to the Creator. Just like how Moshe lovingly reminded the Jewish people before entering Israel of Hashem’s blessings and curses. We read Selichot to remind ourselves not to sin and ask forgiveness for our sins. We do this lovingly by singing beautifully aloud and blasting the beautiful sound of the shofar. All this demonstrates a loving attachment for the Creator, and how we will learn from our past to make a brighter future.

May we all experience a special Shabbat together with friends and family and reach a true level of complete Teshuva on Rosh Hashanah. 

Shabbat Shalom and Shana.