Parashat Bechukotai - If You Consider My Laws Loathsome
"If You Consider My Laws Loathsome"
Parashat Bechukotai contains the "Kelalot," or "curses," the warnings of the tragedies that God threatens to bring upon Benei Yisrael if they disobey the Torah. God introduces this section by declaring that these misfortunes will befall the people "Im Be'chokotai Tim'asu" – "if you consider My laws loathsome." He speaks here not of simply disobeying or disregarding the Mitzvot, but of despising and abhorring them.
The obvious question arises, does anyone truly consider the Mitzvot "loathsome"? Sure, many of us are not as committed as we should be. But to what kind of person does the Torah refer when it speaks of "hatred" for the Mitzvot? Who despises Mitzvot?
The Torah perhaps refers here to the derisive and cynical attitude that many people have towards those who are more meticulous and stringent in their Mitzva observance. All too often, when people choose to take on certain stringencies, such as drinking only "Chalav Yisrael" or dressing with an additional degree of modesty, they are met with scorn and contempt. People accuse them of snobbery or fanaticism, and wish to have nothing to do with them. Rather than approaching them with tolerance and acceptance, they treat them with an attitude of ridicule and rejection.
This is a very dangerous attitude, as it breeds cynicism and contempt towards Torah life generally. Of course, those who have made strides in their religious observance and have adopted a stricter standard must show tolerance and understanding for those who are not at that level. One must indeed act respectfully towards people who are less religiously observant. But the converse is also true: one must show tolerance and respect to those who have chosen to follow a stricter standard. If we ridicule people for their stricter level of observance, then we are, in effect, ridiculing the Almighty Himself who gave us the Torah and commanded us to observe the Mitzvot to the best of our ability.
Thus, when God speaks of a time when Benei Yisrael "consider My laws loathsome," He perhaps refers not to the direct hatred of the Mitzvot, but rather of the contempt shown to those who invest extra effort in fulfilling the Mitzvot. This attitude could, Heaven forbid, result in the devastating curses described in this Parasha. Just as we rightfully expect tolerance from those who are stricter in their observance, so must we show them respect and admiration, rather than derision and contempt.
