Torah Portion:  B'har/B'chukotai; Leviticus 25:1-27:34

 In this week's double Torah portion, Behar-Bechukotai, there are a number of laws relating to the jubilee year (the 50th year), including the laws that slaves must be set free, property should revert to its original owner, and the land should lie fallow and unfarmed.  These laws create an ideal image of society that revolves around the idea that we don't actually OWN anything--all we have is a gift from God.  This is a radical idea, one very foreign to us today, but I think (if we imagine John Lennon's "Imagine" playing in the background and light our little patchouli candle) that we can envision some of the changes this value would create in our world today.  If we truly believed we didn't OWN our own money, then we might be more generous in sharing it with those in need.  If we truly believed we didn't OWN our homes, maybe we would happily invite others to share our space.  It's a tantalizing vision, isn't it?

Today, most of these laws are simply impossible to follow, and in truth we know from other biblical texts that these laws were largely disregarded even in ancient times.  However, I love the idea of remembering that the things we have are all GIFTS to be treasured, and that we owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to God for the bounty we share.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Annie