Parsha Points

The Haftara for Parshat Bechukotai begins with a fierce prophecy but ends with hope and consolation, as we read in Yirmiyahu 17:7-8:

Blessed is the person who trusts in the Lord. The Lord will be his protector. He will be like a tree planted beside the water, its roots spreading along the stream. It need not be concerned when heat comes, for its leaves will remain verdant. It need not worry in a year of drought, for it will never cease to produce fruit.

We see a similar analogy In Tehillim 1:1-3:

Happy is the one who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, who does not stand in the path of sinners, who does not sit among the jeering cynics- instead, the Lord’s teaching is all his desire, and he contemplates that teaching day and night. He is like a tree planted on streams of water yielding fruit in its season, its leaves never withering – all it produces thrives.

We learn in Pirkei Avot 3:18:

Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah used to say: one whose wisdom exceeds his deeds, to what is he compared? To a tree whose branches are numerous but whose roots are few, so that when the wind comes, it uproots it and overturns it, as it is said, “He shall be like a bush in the desert, which does not sense the coming of good. It is set in the scorched places of the wilderness, in a barren land without inhabitant” (Yirmiyahu 17:6). But one whose deeds exceed his wisdom, to what may he be compared? To a tree whose branches are few but roots are many, so that even if all the winds in the world come and blow upon it, they cannot move it out of its place, as it is said, “He shall be like a tree planted by waters, sending forth its roots by a stream. It does not sense the coming of heat, its leaves are ever fresh. It has no care in a year of drought; it does not cease to yield fruit” (Yirmiyahu 17:8).

The Haftara ends on a high note (Yirmiyahu 17:13-14):

The Mikva (hope) of Israel is the Lord. All who forsake You will be shamed. Those who forsake Me will be inscribed for earthly depths, for they have forsaken the Source of living waters (Mekor Mayim Chayim) declares the Lord. Heal me (refaeni) Lord and I will be healed; Save me (hoshieini) and I will be saved- for it is You whom I praise.

In the last Mishna in Chulin, 8:9, Rabbi Akiva teaches:

How fortunate are you, Israel; before Whom are you purified, and Who purifies you? It is your Father in Heaven, as it is stated: “And I will sprinkle purifying water upon you, and you shall be purified” (Yechezkel 36:25). And it says: The Mikva (hope/ritual bath) of Israel is the Lord (Yirmiyahu 17:13). Just as a Mikva purifies the impure, so too, the Holy One, Blessed be He, purifies Israel.

May we experience complete purification and healing.