Stop Toiling the Fields – Start Toiling in Torah [Parsha Pearls: Behar-Bechukosai] 5786

In this Parsha Review Podcast episode on the double portion Behar-Bechukotai, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explores the profound lessons of the Sabbatical year (Shemitah) and Jubilee (Yovel). The Torah commands a complete year off from agricultural work every seven years, requiring total trust (bitachon) in Hashem, who promises miraculous provision through a triple blessing in the sixth year. This highlights divine authorship of the Torah, as no human could guarantee such future-oriented miracles. The Jubilee further resets land ownership, returning properties to original tribal families.

Rabbi Wolbe emphasizes the Torah’s prohibition against verbal pain (ona’as devarim) — even a hurtful remark violates a biblical command — and connects it to fearing Hashem and observing His laws for secure dwelling in the Land. He addresses the reasons for exile, reconciling Shemitah neglect with broader commandment violations through the Talmudic teaching that the Torah was given not to perfect angels but to imperfect humans facing real challenges.

The episode culminates in a powerful call to productive toil: just as the ant never stops working, we must channel our labor toward spiritual growth during Shemitah (toiling in Torah), maintain life balance, avoid time-wasters like addictive social media, and emulate disciplined productivity. True success comes from trusting Hashem, recalibrating values, and producing rather than merely consuming.
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This episode of the Parsha Review Podcast is dedicated in honor of Lenny & Teresa Friedman

• Download & Print the Parsha Review Notes:
  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ncaRyoH5iJmGGoMZs9y82Hz2ofViVouv?usp=sharing

Recorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on May 5, 2026, in Houston, Texas.
Released as Podcast on May 7, 2026

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About the Host:
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback: [email protected]
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Subscribe and Listen to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: 

• NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodes
• Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes
• Jewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodes
• Parsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodes
• Living Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodes
• Thinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodes
• Unboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodes
• Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodes

For a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org
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Keywords:
#Torah, #Parsha, #Leviticus, #BeharBechukotai, #Shemitah, #Bitachon, #Productivity, #Trust, #JewishGrowth, #Reset, #Toil

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