Land of Opportunit - Words of Torah for Temple Beth-El Las Cruces NM - May 15, 2020 (Behar/Bechukotai)

WORDS OF TORAH – May 15, 2020

Shabbat Shalom!

       Many struggles in society over the last 100 years, and before, have attempted to engender equality for all people.   In the United States alone, the Civil Rights movement, the supporters of the Equal Rights amendment, the human rights campaign (working for rights based on sexual orientation and gender identity) all have hoped and still hope to bring about change.  In the economic realm, there are a variety of perspectives regarding what constitutes equality in our country, especially the view that we are a “land of opportunity,” the “Golden Land” in which many of our immigrant ancestors came to live and thrive.   Many of us have not wanted to see the United States become, in the extreme, a land of “haves” and “have-nots.”  There are programs for assistance that help people in need to some extent, but there is always more to be done to make this a land of equal opportunity.   That principle of offering support has been activated, on many levels, during the COVID-19 pandemic.   We do not yet know the end of this story, but Jewish values on preserving life while doing what we can to sustain livelihoods point towards a balanced approach in the coming months. 

      The Torah reading for this week describes a theoretical system that was intended to keep people on an equal footing as much as possible in Israelite society.   Every half-century, the Jubilee Year would bring about restorative shifts in society.  Land would revert to the previous owners.  Debts would be forgiven. Slaves (often serving to pay off debts) would be set free.   The Israelites were commanded to begin this annual observance (and upheaval) with a shofar blast on Yom Kippur.  The Torah commanded, “Proclaim a release (also translated “liberty) throughout the land to all the inhabitants” (the quote on the Liberty Bell).   Scholars are not certain that the jubilee was ever practiced to the fullest extent, but they do recognize the values embodied by this equalizing system.   According to the Etz Hayim Torah commentary, we can still learn from this practice that, ultimately, everything belongs to God, that no one should have to feel as if he or she is in a state of permanent servitude, and that no one’s value should be based only on economic terms.  

        This Torah portion envisions countries, organizations, and congregations as communities of equals, where it is acknowledged that everyone has something to offer.    In a community of equals, there are many ways to contribute.  Judaism notes that everyone should give tzedakah – contributions from their own resources based on righteousness and justice – according to their means.  The jubilee should, finally, teach us that we should always strive to attain what the jubilee year sought to restore: unity, self-respect, and hope.  May we continue to sustain these elements as a part of the core of who we are individually and together.