Bechukotai: The Penthouse

A young man proposes marriage to a young lady. He says, "If you will become my betrothed by accepting this gold ring, not only will I give you what you deserve according to the law of Torah, but I shall buy you a penthouse overlooking the Mediterranean…" The woman agreed and they became engaged and soon married.

After the wedding ceremony and reception, the groom brought the bride home to the penthouse he promised her. To her delight, it was much more exquisite than he described. Wide glass doors in the living room opened up to a balcony with a breathtaking view of the sea and the coastline. The sea air was caressing and intoxicating. The kitchen was outfit with every imaginable amenity. Two servants greeted her as she entered. "Who are those two people?" she asked her new husband.

"They are your servants to do as you wish," he answered.

The bride wanders from room to room, amazed. One room is devoted to her hobby of painting, with everything an artist needs. Another room is a private gym, equipped with the latest and best fitness apparatus. The furniture in the living room and bedroom is exactly to her taste and heavenly comfortable. She can't believe her good fortune.

"Come upstairs to the roof," her husband says, taking her by the hand up a spiral oak and brass stairway. She walks out to an exotic rooftop garden with a panoramic view of the Mediterranean in the west to the Judean Mountains in the east. She could no longer contain herself, and tears of gratitude trickled down her cheeks. Her husband hands her an orchid and then shows her walk-in cedar closets with shoes and outfits for every Shabbat of the year – a wardrobe beyond her wildest imagination.

"I don't deserve any of this," she says, throwing herself in his arms.

"The moment you agreed to become my betrothed, what's mine is yours," says the loving husband.

Does the above allegory sound far-fetched? Who possibly has such good fortune as the young bride?

We do.

"If you will follow My laws and observe My commandments…" (Leviticus 26:3).

In the above passage, Hashem repeats the promise He gave us in last week's Torah portion (see Leviticus 25:18-19), namely, that observing the Torah's commandments brings peace to the holy Land of Israel, as Hashem assures us in this week's Torah portion, "And I shall give peace in the Land" (ibid, 26:6). This is in addition to all the wonderful blessings of children, longevity and ample income.

Hashem promises His chosen people that if they walk in His ways and observe His Torah, sanctifying themselves in His commandments and becoming "betrothed" to Him rather than to the nations of the world and their vulgarities, He will shower us with every blessing: rain, bumper crops, peace, children and all the income we need. If that's not enough, Hashem promises to walk in our midst (ibid, 12). Just like the young bride who was promised her own penthouse but ultimately received much more than she ever dreamed of, the Jewish People cannot fathom what awaits them when we become a nationwide-observant people who live their lives individually and collectively according to the laws of Torah.

With Hashem's loving grace, emuna is spreading far and wide like the scent of citrus blossoms in the springtime breeze. People are coming home to their roots. We look forward to the day soon when Hashem's Divine Presence shall dwell among us and our people will enjoy every blessing on earth, amen!