Pent. Lev. 26:3- 27:34
Bechukotai is always read shortly before Shavuot because, the sages tell us, it discusses the weight of the Torah we are to receive. The portion begins with the promise that rewards in the form of blessings will follow if the Israelites obey the Torah and curses, should the Israelites fail to do so. Although the list of curses is much longer than the blessings, the commentators are agreed that the blessings far outweigh the curses.
Bechukotai concludes the reading of the Book of Leviticus, thus this Shabbat in traditional circles is known as Shabbat Chazak. At the conclusion of the reading, it is customary for the entire congregation to call out “Chazak, Chazak, Venitchazek” which mean “let us be strong, and be strengthened (by our study of Torah). This is because everything that we complete in the service of God should give us new strength to go further and allow us to reach higher ends. This is particularly underscored this Shabbat, when we finish the third book of Torah (in Jewish law something which occurs three times is considered a Chazakah, a reliable probability). The number three also bears a special significance to the giving of the Torah, which is threefold (Torah, Prophets and Writings) and was given to a three part people (Cohen, Levi and Israel) in the third month after leaving Egypt after three days of preparation. Thus the mystics and Chassidim find a connection through the number three that makes this Shabbat special.
So, for the sake of argument let us stick with the numeral three for a moment. When we gather as a community in worship many elements come together. When all of them work together harmoniously the result is a wonderful worship experience. When one of the elements is weaker than the other, worship somehow feels flat. You can play with what the “three” are yet, for me, rabbis, cantor and congregation are almost essential elements. When the shlichei tzibur, the prayer leaders and teachers are not wholly present something is missing; when the congregation is not fully drawn in through readings, music and even momentous silence, something is missing. The great moments of worship happen when everyone involved is fully present. Then the simple act of worshiping in community becomes a blessing. We leave the sanctuary full of spiritual energy, we continue singing on our way home, dialoging on what just happened and how it will make us stronger for the rest of our week.
On this Shabbat Chazak may each of us find strength and meaning in our worship. Let us be the ‘third’ that makes it happen and may our spiritual energy bring strength to the prayers of our community.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Roberto Graetz
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