Behar-Behukotai – “Good People!”

The Book of Leviticus concludes the Israelites’ time at Mt. Sinai, reminding them that upkeep of their new portable sanctuary is not without cost. After receiving the Torah and completing the sanctuary, maintaining this sacred place requires ongoing commitment—nothing is free, not even manna from heaven!    

The ancient form of taxation involved vowing something, or someone, to be given to the ancient Temple.  In the case of a human being, he/she was not actually given but redeemed from the requirement by paying a certain amount: “The Lord spoke to Moses saying: Speak to the Israelite people and say to them.  When anyone explicitly vows to the Lord the equivalent for a human being, the following scale shall apply, . . .  from twenty to sixty years of age, the equivalent is fifty shekels of silver by the sanctuary weight.” (Leviticus 27:2) 

The Eitz Hayim Humash commentary asks “How do we measure the value of a person?  The world at large values rich people more than poor people, economically productive people more than less productive, fertile women more than childless women, clever and attractive people more than others.  In God’s temple, however, people are evaluated by the “sanctuary weight.”  God views human worth in a different manner than the world at large.

In our day, the synagogue is a place where a person’s value is not measured in material or superficial terms.  We live in a world that is obsessed with rich people, sports heroes, beautiful bodies and narcisstic pleasures.  When one walks into a synagogue sanctuary, they should be welcomed as one fashioned in God’s image; a co-sanctifier of God’s name. 

 Following Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, NBC News recognized that there are many individuals beyond politicians and celebrities who truly make a difference. Since then, NBC has featured “Inspiring America” or “People Who Make A Difference” several times a week on their evening news, seeking out remarkable people across the country who positively impact children, the elderly, the infirm, and anyone needing kindness. These are everyday heroes who rarely make headlines, yet their contributions are essential to meaningful living. As the saying goes, their worth is truly priceless.

Not surprising, many of these people who are making a difference happen to be religious, and some are even Jews!  The synagogue is a place-like the ancient Temple-where each person is a valued member regardless of who he/she is.  As a result, many of these same people leave the synagogue intent on sharing their wealth of values and ethics with a world sorely in need.

Rabbi Howard Siegel