5784 Parshat Bechukotai Dvar Torah by Ms. Shira Sedek

In Pirkei Avot 2:25, Rabbi Tarfon says: “The day is short, and the work is a lot, and the workers are lazy, and the reward is great, and the master of the house is demanding.” This can be our relationship with Hashem or in life at times. The day feels like it went fast, and there is much to do. But, is there really always so much work? Are we lazy? Despite the reason for the difficulty, we either encourage ourselves by thinking of the great reward we will receive, or we have someone like Hashem or a parent saying: Do your work. 

In Parshat Bechukotai, it says,  “...אִם־בְּחֻקֹּתַ֖י תֵּלֵ֑כוּ וְאֶת־מִצְו‍ֹתַ֣י תִּשְׁמְר֔וּ וַֽעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָֽם וְנָֽתַתִּ֥י גִשְׁמֵיכֶ֖ם בְּעִתָּ֑ם” which means, “If you go in the way of My chukim [mitzvot that humans don’t know the reason for], and you guard/keep My mitzvot, then I will give you rain at the right time.” In this verse, Hashem is encouraging us to do mitzvot and telling us about the reward. However, why do we need to be told to go and do something multiple times? Why is it that we are lazy?

To understand this, we must understand what work we are talking about. Rashi explains that the word תֵּלֵ֑כוּ (you will go) teaches us that when we toil and do something hard, that is when we will get the rain or blessing showered upon us. Now, the answer to the previous questions becomes clearer: We are lazy because the work is particularly challenging. The work may require us to give up something, step outside of our comfort zone, or even face obstacles. However, the Torah assures us that the effort will be well worth it as it will result in great blessings. 

We may still ask ourselves, “Why is that? Why should I have to push myself?” Well, as Miley Cyrus sings in her hit song “The Climb”: “It ain’t about how fast I get there, ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side. It’s the climb.” The important aspect is the journey and not the destination. For example, this message is shown through Bnei Yisrael’s long journey in the desert to reach Canaan.

When we work hard to achieve something, not only are we staying true to ourselves, but the journey is more important because we feel a sense of accomplishment. When we are constantly given things in life, we can lose appreciation for the time and effort someone spent on those things for us, along with losing the ability to see the blessing in receiving them. This is why Hashem says that Bnei Yisrael must go in the way of the chukim and guard and keep the mitzvot! Those who do not put in the effort won’t see the rain of blessings in life. We wouldn’t see it, not because Hashem did not send it to us, or a parent neglected to give us something, but because we would be so used to receiving without putting in the work ourselves. Giving to Hashem and others is work, but it is what creates our gratitude, happiness, and closeness to Hashem.

May we all take action despite the difficulty. May Hashem help us with the challenges we face. May we all see the blessings that Hashem has for us every day.