Trust in Hashem and the Consequences of Faithlessness
Haftarah for Bechukosai — Yirmiyahu 16:19–17:14
Theme: Trust in Hashem and the Consequences of Faithlessness
Overview:
The Haftarah opens with Yirmiyahu declaring Hashem as his strength and refuge in times of trouble. Yet, this comfort is quickly followed by a harsh critique of the Jewish people’s misplaced trust—in man, in foreign powers, and in their own efforts—rather than in Hashem.
Core Message:
Yirmiyahu warns that such false security will lead to national catastrophe: exile from their land and servitude in foreign lands. This punishment is not arbitrary; it stems from a deep spiritual flaw—the failure to trust Hashem.
Shemittah as a Test of Faith:
Rashi and the Malbim explain that the underlying sin was the violation of Shemittah, the sabbatical year. The refusal to let the land rest every seventh year was more than agricultural defiance—it was a declaration that success comes from personal effort, not divine providence.
Observing Shemittah requires radical faith. Farmers are told to stop working their land and trust that Hashem will provide. When they refuse, it reflects a belief that their own work—not Hashem—is the source of their livelihood.
Three Levels of Trust (Malbim):
-
Ideal Trust: Total reliance on Hashem, even while making reasonable efforts.
-
Mixed Trust: Belief in both Hashem and personal effort; tolerated but not ideal.
-
False Trust: Total reliance on human effort, excluding Hashem entirely—this is what Yirmiyahu condemns.
National Consequences:
Hashem uses exile to “repay” the land its lost Shemittah years and to reeducate His people about who truly controls sustenance. Just as individuals suffer when profiting from Shemittah produce, so too does the nation when it ignores Hashem’s terms for living in His land.
Eretz Yisrael – The Land of Emunah:
The Land of Israel is uniquely suited to cultivating faith. Its dependence on rain and divine favor makes it impossible to live there successfully without a relationship with Hashem. Violating Shemittah is thus a betrayal of that sacred relationship, and Hashem’s response—exile—is a painful but necessary correction.
Takeaway:
Shemittah is not just agricultural law; it is a litmus test for faith. The Haftarah teaches that true security lies not in our work, but in our Creator. May we merit to strengthen our trust in Hashem and see the full return of His people to their land.
Go to Torah.org
Date: May 20, 2025
