ספר ויקרא

With G-d's Blessing Behar-Bechukotai

The pasuk (Vayikra 25:55) states, “For Bnei Yisrael are servants to Me, they are My servants.” The duplication can be explained as follows: “Bnei Yisrael are servants to Me” refers to Hashem choosing us, while “they are My servants” refers to our acceptance of the yoke of Heaven. This is similar to Devarim 24:17, “You have affirmed that Hashem is your G-d, and Hashem has affirmed that you are His treasured people.”The degree to which one accepts being Hashem’s servant determines the fulfillment of the verse (Vayikra 25:42), “For they are My servants...they will not be sold into servitude.” This aligns with the Mishna (Avot 3:5), which states, “One who accepts the yoke of Torah will have the yoke of government and worldly matters removed from him.”

(Vayikra 25:20) “And if you shall say ‘what shall we eat in the shmita year, we have not planted..?” The idea of Shabbos and Shmita is one of nullification. This applies on both a national and individual level, requiring one to nullify oneself for the fear of Heaven. Though this fear might seem to reduce one's performance of mitzvot and good deeds, if it is for the sake of Heaven, it will not cause a lack. It is better to have less with the fear of Heaven, for this brings blessings to one's actions. As Tehillim 34:10 states, “Fear Hashem, His holy ones, for those who fear Him lack nothing.” This means both materially and spiritually, there will be no lack due to the added fear of Heaven.This explains the pasuk, "If you say what shall we eat, for we have not planted." Even if actions are reduced due to shmita, the little connection gained through fear of Hashem brings blessings. As the pasuk continues, “I will command My blessing in the sixth year,” indicating that the sixth year represents attachment and connection. Thus, “A little with fear of Hashem is better than much without it.”