RR Torah Portion Behar-Bechukotai Leviticus 25:1-27:34 By Jeffery Freeman
Shabbat shalom,
This week we have another double portion. Behar which translates to “on Mount (Sinai),” Bechukotai which translates to “in My statutes.” This reading covers Sabbatical years, the Year of Jubilee, reward for obedience, punishment for disobedience, and redeeming items dedicated to the LORD.
Let’s focus on the Sabbatical Years and the Year of Jubilee.
Leviticus 25:3-4 For six years you may sow your field…and prune your vineyard and gather its fruit. But in the seventh year there is to be a Shabbat rest for the land - a Shabbat to the LORD.
Leviticus 25:8-10 You are to count off seven Shabbatot of years – seven times seven years…seven Shabbatot of years…49 years…you are to proclaim the fiftieth year holy.
The fifty-year and annual cycle share much in common. It is also quite interesting that is another 7/49/50 event. Even more interesting is that we get this reading while counting this event. The Omer count leading up to Shavuot.
Leviticus 23:15-16, 21 You are to count from the morrow after the Shabbat…seven complete Shabbatot. Until the morrow after the seventh Shabbat you are to count fifty days. You are to make a proclamation on the same day that here is to be a holy convocation, and you shall do no regular work.
Leviticus 23:3 Work may be done for six days, but the seventh day of a Shabbat of rest, a holy convocation. You are to do work it is a Shabbat to ADONAI.
Jewish scholars recon that these seven and seven times seven cycles represent both history and a foreshadowing of the Messianic Age. In this line of thinking, Shabbat offers a weekly foretaste of peace and rest when Messiah rules the earth.
The same symbolism applies to the Sabbatical Year. Six years representing the historical redemptive ages. The seventh year represents the coming age of peace under Messiah.
What else can we find in Scripture concerning peace and rest?
Isaiah 26:3 You keep in perfect peace (shalom shalom) one whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. What is translated as “perfect peace” is a double “shalom.” This is Hebrew’s way of indicating something emphatically. In English, a particularly tasty meal might be referred to as being really, really good.
Psalm 4:8(9) I will lie down and sleep in shalom. For you alone ADONAI make me live securely.
Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
What can we do to enjoy this peace and rest from the LORD until Messiah returns?
1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your worries on Him, for He cares for you.
Hebrews 4:9-10 There remains a Shabbat rest for the people of God. For the one who has entered God’s rest has also ceased from his own work just as God did.
Revelation 22:17 The Ruach and the bride say “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come – let the one who wishes freely to take the water of life!
So, let’s all enjoy the shadow of the Messianic Era every Shabbat. We can cast our worries on Him, cease from our regular work, and Come! To a holy convocation, freely taking the water of life. Shabbat Shalom!
Day 35 of the Omer
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sat9-May-2026 22nd of Iyar, 5786 Parashat Behar-Bechukotai
This week we have another double portion. Behar which translates to “on Mount (Sinai),” Bechukotai which translates to “in My statutes.” This reading covers Sabbatical years, the Year of Jubilee, reward for obedience, punishment for disobedience, and redeeming items dedicated to the LORD.
Let’s focus on the Sabbatical Years and the Year of Jubilee.
Leviticus 25:3-4 For six years you may sow your field…and prune your vineyard and gather its fruit. But in the seventh year there is to be a Shabbat rest for the land - a Shabbat to the LORD.
Leviticus 25:8-10 You are to count off seven Shabbatot of years – seven times seven years…seven Shabbatot of years…49 years…you are to proclaim the fiftieth year holy.
The fifty-year and annual cycle share much in common. It is also quite interesting that is another 7/49/50 event. Even more interesting is that we get this reading while counting this event. The Omer count leading up to Shavuot.
Leviticus 23:15-16, 21 You are to count from the morrow after the Shabbat…seven complete Shabbatot. Until the morrow after the seventh Shabbat you are to count fifty days. You are to make a proclamation on the same day that here is to be a holy convocation, and you shall do no regular work.
Leviticus 23:3 Work may be done for six days, but the seventh day of a Shabbat of rest, a holy convocation. You are to do work it is a Shabbat to ADONAI.
Jewish scholars recon that these seven and seven times seven cycles represent both history and a foreshadowing of the Messianic Age. In this line of thinking, Shabbat offers a weekly foretaste of peace and rest when Messiah rules the earth.
The same symbolism applies to the Sabbatical Year. Six years representing the historical redemptive ages. The seventh year represents the coming age of peace under Messiah.
What else can we find in Scripture concerning peace and rest?
Isaiah 26:3 You keep in perfect peace (shalom shalom) one whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. What is translated as “perfect peace” is a double “shalom.” This is Hebrew’s way of indicating something emphatically. In English, a particularly tasty meal might be referred to as being really, really good.
Psalm 4:8(9) I will lie down and sleep in shalom. For you alone ADONAI make me live securely.
Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
What can we do to enjoy this peace and rest from the LORD until Messiah returns?
1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your worries on Him, for He cares for you.
Hebrews 4:9-10 There remains a Shabbat rest for the people of God. For the one who has entered God’s rest has also ceased from his own work just as God did.
Revelation 22:17 The Ruach and the bride say “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come – let the one who wishes freely to take the water of life!
So, let’s all enjoy the shadow of the Messianic Era every Shabbat. We can cast our worries on Him, cease from our regular work, and Come! To a holy convocation, freely taking the water of life. Shabbat Shalom!
Day 35 of the Omer
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sat9-May-2026 22nd of Iyar, 5786 Parashat Behar-Bechukotai
Posted in Rabbis Reflections
Recent
Archive
2026
January
RR Psalm 42:12(11) Part 8RR Psalm 43:1 Part 1RR In Praise of Milk By David HarwoodRR Psalm 43:2 Part 2RR Psalm 43:3 Part 3RR Psalm 43:4 Part 4RR Psalm 43:5 Part 5RR Psalm 44:1-5(1-4) Part 1RR “The Priority & Power of Relationship” by Jerry MillerRR Favor on top of Favor By David HarwoodRR Psalm 44:6-9(5-8) Part 2RR Psalm 44:10-13(9-12) Part 3RR Psalm 44:14-17(13-16) Part 4RR Psalm 44:18-22(17-21) Part 5RR The Throne By David HarwoodRR Psalm 44:23-27(22-26) Part 6RR Psalm 45:1-3(1,2) Part 1RR PPsalm 45:4(3) Part 2RR Psalm 45:5(4) Part 3RR Psalm 45:6(5) Part 4RR Psalm 45:7(6) Part 5RR “Guarding our Relationship with the Lord” by Jerry MillerRR Doubting Favor by David HarwoodRR Psalm 45:8(7) Part 6RR Psalm 45:9(8) Part 7RR Psalm 45:10(9) Part 8RR Psalm 45:11-13(10-12) Part 9RR Favor and Calling By David HarwoodRR YESHUA BEYOND THE BIBLE By Dr. Raymond Finney RR Psalm 45:11-13(10-12) Part 10
February
RR Psalm 45:14-16(13-15) Part 11RR Psalm 45:17,18(16,17) Part 12RR Psalm 46:1,2(1) Part 1RR Psalm 46:3,4(2,3) Part 2RR Charismata - Signs of Favor By David HarwoodRR Psalm 46:5-8(4-7) Part 3RR “Guarding our Relationship with the Lord” by Jerry MillerRR Psalm 46:5-8(4-7) Part 5RR Psalm 46:5-8(4-7) – Part 4RR Psalm 46:5-8(4-7) Part 6RR Psalm 46:9-12(8-11) Part 7RR THE ONE AND ONLY YOU (Part 1) The Amazing Mystery of Light and You By Dr. Raymond FinneyRR Favor and Sanctity by David HarwoodRR Psalm 46:9-12 (8-11) Part 8RR Psalm 47:1-4(1-3) Part 1RR Psalm 47:1-4(1-3) Part 2RR Psalm 47:1-4(1-3) Part 3RR Psalm 47:1-4(1-3) Part 4RR Gratitude for Favor By David HarwoodRR Psalm 47:6(5) Part 5RR Psalm 47:7(6) Part 6RR Psalm 47:9(8) Part 8RR Psalm 47:10(9) Part 9RR Psalm 48:1-3 Part 1RR “Guarding our Relationship with the Lord, Part 3” by Jerry MillerRR Some Favorite Verses (1) By David HarwoodRR Psalm 1:1 Part 1 (rerun)
March
RR Psalm 48:4(3) Part 2RR Psalm 48:8,9 Part 5RR Psalm 48:8,9 Part 4RR Psalm 48:5-7 Part 3RR Psalm 48:10-12 Part 6RR Psalm 48:10-12 Part 7RR Some Favorite Verses (2) Generosity and Enabling Favor By David HarwoodRR Psalm 48:13-15 Part 8RR Psalm 49:1-5 Part 1RR Psalm 49:1-5 Part 2RR Psalm 49:6(5) – Part 3RR Some Favorite Verses (3) Favor in Speaking and Knowledge By David HarwoodRR Psalm 49:7-9(6-8) Part 4RR Psalm 49:10,11(9,10) Part 5RR Psalm 49:12(11), 13(12) – Part 6RR Psalm 49:14(13) Part 7RR Manifestations of Favor in Speaking and Knowledge By David HarwoodRR Psalm 49:15,16(14,15) Part 9RR Psalm 49:15,16(14,15) Part 8RR Psalm 49:19-21(18-20) Part 11RR Psalm 49:17,18(16,17) Part 10RR Psalm 50:1,2 Part 1RR Psalm 50:3 Part 2RR “Guarding our Relationship with the Lord, Part 5” by Jerry MillerRR Yeshua’s Enriched Speech and Knowledge By David HarwoodRR Psalm 50:5 Part 4RR Psalm 50:4 Part 3RR Psalm 50:6 Part 5RR Psalm 50:6 Part 6RR Psalm 50:7-15 Part 7
April
RR Psalm 50:7-15 Part 8RR Psalm 50:7-15 Part 9RR Yeshua Provides a Pattern By David HarwoodRR Pasach 3 Torah Lesson – Exodus 33-12-34:26 By Jeffrey FreemanRR Let's Celebrate Yom HaBikurimRR Psalm 50:16-21 Part 10RR Psalm 50:16-21 Part 11RR Sh’mini Torah lesson – Leviticus 9:1 – 11:47 By Jeffrey FreemanRR Psalm 50:22,23 Part 13RR Psalm 50:16-21 Part 12RR Yeshua Grew By David HarwoodRR Psalm 51:1,2 Part 1RR Psalm 51:3 Part 2