With this week's parashah, Bechukotai, the central (in both senses of the word) book of the Torah comes to a close. Recent years have produced much study, in many circles, of Sefer Vayikra, and the various results all seem to converge on a profound appreciation of the fullness, complexity and profoundity not only of the book's content, but of the structure which imparts to that content its richness and resonance even today, when we are, seemingly so much at a remove from so many of it's clauses. Bechukotai, as the Ramban has pointed out, is the bringing to a close of the statement of the brit between Hashem and Am Yisrael - a statement which was begun way back toward the end of Shemot. Its provisions - blessings for covenant fulfillment and unspeakably horrific punishment for willful violation - serve as a formal conclusion for the momentous, history-shaping compact between the Infinite One and His self-created finite partner. Except that the book doesn't end there. ...
Thoughts and insights on the weekly Parashah, Daff Yomi, and whatever else I may be learning or brooding about, ranging from pedantic grammatical observations to sweeping generalizations of dubious provenance. Enjoy!