Dvar Torah for Bechukosai 6th Aliyah: Actual text: https://tinyurl.com/kbrz66e5 The Torah details the law regarding land purchased and then consecrated by the buyer, and how it reverts to the original owner when yovel arrives. The pasuk details that “the Kohen shall calculate the value until the jubilee year, and give the valuation on that day…” (27:23). If the Kohen calculates the value of the consecrated field, it seems evident that the value is the present value. What is the purpose of the Torah’s addition of the words “on that day” to the instructions? The Gemara explains that these words indicate that rather than paying a pre-established fixed price for a field, one pays the value of the produce at that time, which becomes a variable based on time and location and highlights an essential element in how we value things. We often raise the value of items based on their scarcity. We value the time we spend with our parents, but often only when we move out. We value quiet time, particularly when we otherwise lack it. It behooves us to be mindful of valuing commodities on the day we enjoy them, especially the scarcest of them all: time. Dvar Torah for Bechukosai 7th Aliyah: Actual text: https://tinyurl.com/3w7w7xse The Torah describes the last of the tithes called maaser (bechor being the first, maaser the last). Rather than adding up livestock and taking one-tenth as tithe, we are told to let each animal pass through a narrow opening and tag every tenth one (27:32). Why is this inefficient way to tithing required? Rav Hirsch explains that rather than separating out 10 percent of our total assets to be donated, counting all our assets as part of this process reframes how we view the totality of our belongings. Not only is attaining wealth a blessing, but keeping and growing it is just as much a blessing. Counting our valuables, rather than focusing on the portion we give away, enables us to appreciate the utility and blessing of all we’ve been able to accumulate. Please consider forwarding this to others so they can join! https://chat.whatsapp.com/I7IHQNPpKLF0adHHXTUYda