Bechukosai: Unchanging Value of Every Jew

By Aryeh Bienstock

This week’s parsha contains the famous Brachos and Klalos; the blessings that Hashem promises to bestow on Bnei Yisrael if they are loyal to his mitzvos and the curses that will befall them if they are unfaithful. After this topic, the Torah moves on to discuss the halachos of Arachin and Temurah, which are seemingly two totally unrelated topics to the Tochacha. How do these topics fit into the theme of this week’s parsha and specifically connect to the topic proceeding it? Furthermore, as our parsha concludes Sefer Vayikra, why are these topics a fitting conclusion to the sefer?

I heard a fascinating answer from Rabbi Yoni Levin in his 5782 Parsha Shiur quoting the Ishbitzer Rebbe in his Sefer Mei HaShiloach. The concept of Arachin is when a person makes a monetary dedication to the Beis HaMikdash and the value of this dedication is based on the values prescribed in the Torah. The Torah outlines the monetary value of an individual based on their age and gender. The Ishbitzer explains that this topic connects to the previous one because after one accepts upon themselves the Tochacha outlined in the previous chapter, they may feel lowly and valueless. Therefore, Hashem chose to place the laws of Arachin right after the Tochacha to emphasize value of every individual. This value is intrinsic and does not change based on one’s actions or mistakes.

With this in mind, we can explain the next topic outlined in the parsha, the laws of Temurah. Temurah is the prohibition of transferring the Kedusha of one animal to another animal.

The pasuk says,

לֹ֣א יַחֲלִיפֶ֗נּוּ וְלֹֽא־יָמִ֥יר אֹת֛וֹ ט֥וֹב בְּרָ֖ע אוֹ־רַ֣ע בְּט֑וֹב וְאִם־הָמֵ֨ר יָמִ֤יר בְּהֵמָה֙ בִּבְהֵמָ֔ה וְהָֽיָה־ה֥וּא וּתְמוּרָת֖וֹ יִֽהְיֶה־קֹּֽדֶשׁ׃

“One may not exchange or substitute another for it, either good for bad, or bad for good; if one does substitute one animal for another, the thing vowed and its substitute shall both be holy,” (Vayikra 27:10).

This law prohibits us from changing one animal for another, whether exchanging for a better or worse one, once it has been dedicated as kadosh. Rabbi Levin explains that this concept can be related to our personal lives. Sometimes we can look around at others and think that they are better than us; maybe they have more money, friends or family etc. The concept of Temurah reflects the uniqueness of every individual being. Instead of envying the life of another and wishing to switch lives with him, this concept can teach us to appreciate that Hashem brought every individual into this world to accomplish something unique.

This theme, which we see reflected in various topics throughout Sefer Vayikra, creates a seamless transition into Sefer Bamidbar as Moshe counts each individual Jew. Appreciating the individual and the unique purpose that everyone possesses is precisely the theme of Sefer Bamidbar, according to Rav Tzadok.

We can learn from the topics outlines in this week’s parsha that it is important to remember that each of us has value no matter what we have done in our lives.  We must recognize the good in our lives rather than focusing on what others have.