Parashat Behar (at the
mountain)
In Leviticus Chapter 25 (that holds most of
the text of our section) three times we find verses that start with the following
words:
“ If one of your fellow Israelites faces financial
difficulty,” verses 25, 35 and 39.
The first verse talks about someone
who needs to sell part of his property.
The second verse deals with
a person that needs to borrow money.
The third verse talks about an
individual who sells him/herself as a slave to pay a debt.
What I did not mention on
purpose, is that in the third verse after the words, “ If
one of your fellow Israelites faces financial difficulty” there is an addition,
the word עמך , (with you).
In life, we do not know when
we will need money or when we will be able to lend money, but we always need to
remember not to leave alone those who are in great need.
The Torah reminds us with a
minor detail, “to never let alone,” how important it is to help the needy.
In memory of my beloved mother and teacher Miriam Rachel bat
Israel Itzchak Z"L
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