This Shabbat, we conclude the reading of the Book of Leviticus with the double parasha of Behar - Behukkotai. The reading of a double selection is necessary because 5761 is not a leap year in the Jewish calendar.

The first Torah reading of Behar begins with a description of the sabbatical year. G-d commanded the Israelites to let the land of Israel lie fallow in the seventh year. It was a year of rest for the land. Only that which grew naturally was permitted during the Sabbatical year.

The fiftieth year was of special significance as it marked the completion of seven cycles of the Sabbatical year. This year was known as the yovel, or the English Jubilee. This special year was introduced with the sounding of the shofar. The Jubilee year was a year of freedom. "Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." These cherished words are engraved upon the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. According to Leviticus, land that was leased to another person was restored to its original owner in the Jubilee Year. "The land shall not be sold in perpetuity; for the Land is Mine." The true owner of the land of Israel is G-d.

Leviticus shares the way in which people could redeem their land and their houses. A relative would redeem the property of a man who could not afford to buy it back. In the Jubilee year, the property would return to the original owner who would negotiate a fair price with the purchaser. Houses could be redeemed in a similar way. However, houses in the cities of the Levites would always belong to the Levite families.

The Torah shares its concern for the poor. The Torah did not permit charging interest on loans. The laws of justice of the Torah are associated with Israel's experience of slavery in Egypt.

If Israelite became poor, he could sell himself as a hired servant. The servant gained his freedom during the Jubilee year. The Torah did allow slavery for non-Israelites. The first Torah selection concludes with a call against idolatry and for observance of the festivals. "You shall keep my Sabbaths, and revere My sanctuary: I am the L-rd."

The concluding reading of Leviticus, Behukkotai shares the blessings of obedience. "I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid." The rains will fall in their appropriate season.

However, if Israel fails to obey the covenant, then she shall suffer sickness and defeat. The Torah reader reads these verses of rebuke in an undertone. Israel shall be afflicted with consumption and fever. The land will not yield her fruit. Beasts will devour the cattle. The enemy shall conquer the land. The cities shall be destroyed. Israel shall be scattered among the nations.

However, G-d will finally remember His covenant with the people of Israel. G-d will be gracious to Israel because of the deeds of her ancestors.

Chapter 27 shares how a person may offer a vow to contribute to support the Sanctuary. The vow for an adult male was usually fifty shekels; the vow for a woman was thirty shekels. Minors and seniors were evaluated at lower levels. The Torah shares the process of redeeming an animal, house, land, the first-born animal and the tithe of produce.

This Shabbat, we conclude the third book of the Torah, the Book of Leviticus. "These are the commandments which the L-rd commanded Moses for the children of Israel in Mount Sinai." There are 27 chapters in Leviticus and 859 verses. We conclude our Torah reading with the words, "Hazak, hazak, v'nithazek." "Let us be strong and strengthen one another."