Parashat Behar–Bechukotai: Mountains, Money, and a Very Honest God

Torah thoughts from somewhere between Sinai and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Welcome to the end of Leviticus. If this book were a Netflix season, this week’s parsha would be the season finale — and wow, does it end with drama.

We’re reading two parshas together: Behar ("On the mountain") and Bechukotai ("By My laws").Both come packed with bold ideas: about land, justice, debt, time, and what happens when a nation chooses kindness — or cruelty.

🏔 PART 1 – What happens on the mountain? (Behar)

Let’s start with a big concept: the land doesn’t belong to you.

In Behar, God tells Moses that every seven years, the Israelites must give the land a rest, no planting, no harvesting. This is called the Shemita year, a Sabbath for the land.

And every 50 years, there’s a super-reset called Yovel (Jubilee):

• Slaves go free.

• Land returns to its original owners.

• Debts get erased.

• Everyone breathes again.

Why?

Because in the Torah's economy, freedom and dignity are more important than profit.God says:

“The land is Mine. You are strangers and settlers with Me.”A fancy way of saying: Don’t get too attached to your stuff. Take care of each other.

Imagine if every credit card company had to forgive all debt every 50 years.Now imagine them doing it with a smile. That’s Yovel.

📜 PART 2 – Walk with Me (Bechukotai)

Now comes the powerful, emotional part.Bechukotai lays out what will happen if the Israelites follow God's ways - and what will happen if they don’t.

It’s not subtle.

If you follow the mitzvot:

• Rain will fall in season.

• Crops will grow.

• You’ll live in peace.

• God will “walk among you.”

But if not…

• There will be fear, famine, exile, and devastation.

• The land will become desolate.

• The people will feel abandoned.

It’s raw and real - not a threat, but a warning. A parent saying, "This is what happens when we break the connection."

But even in the hardest verses, there’s a promise:

“Yet even then… I will not reject them completely.”

That’s not rage. That’s love that doesn’t give up.

🧭 What’s the message for us?

These parshas are ancient — but painfully relevant.They ask:

• What would it look like to live in a society that truly forgives debt?

• That lets the earth rest?

• That chooses fairness over greed?

It’s not just about land. It’s about people.And about what kind of rhythm your life follows:Constant hustle?Or sacred pauses?

🪓 Closing Thought:

Not everything you own is really yours.Not every moment has to be productive.And not every mistake means you're beyond repair.

Sometimes, the holiest thing you can do…is let the land rest.Set someone free.Start again.

Shabbat shalom from The Kosher Viking –where freedom is fresh, and every fjord deserves a jubilee.