Community Torah Corner - May 8, 2026 — Behar

Today we want to explore what the Shemitah year teaches us about gratitude and giving back. If God gives us a year of rest, what does God expect from us in return?

The year of rest shows similarities to shabbat and its rules because of its similar restrictions. In the seventh year, you are not allowed to grow new crops. But if there were some already growing from before you can take them. 

Another thing you have to do during the 7th year is that you still have to keep observance of G-d because even when you are resting you still have to be faithful.

The pasuk states: Ve'im-bezot lo tishme'u li vahalachtem immi bekeri, or despite this, you disobey Me and remain hostile to Me.

This means since God provides for us and gives us blessings, keeping mitzvot is our way of showing gratitude and trust.

This pasuk stood out to us because it shows real life examples, when someone helps you and they ask for something in return, you should do it because they did something for you.

It’s similar to the idea that our actions affect how others respond to us, when you deserve good you receive good, and vice versa. So if you deny giving help to someone, you shouldn't expect help from them in return.  The commentary we chose is from Rab­bi Ashlag. Rabbi Yehuda Ashlag was a 20th-century Jewish thinker who wrote about spiritual growth and selflessness.  He explains how you should help people with their needs, not for selfish reasons. It explains how being selfless is a mitzvah and it brings you closer to G-d. The text says “Instead of instinc­tive­ly ask­ing our­selves ​“what’s in it for me?,” we can learn to ask ​“what can I do for you?” with no self-cen­tered hid­den agen­da”. This literally tells you not to be selfish and to help people with genuine intentions.

This commentary is helpful because Ashlag executes the fact that there is a difference between  “If you do this for me what do I have to do for you?” and “You did something for me and I'm thankful so let me help you.” because when someone does something for you, you should not only be thankful but also return the favor. When someone says what do I have to do now, it seems to be an annoyed reaction so when someone does something for you, you should thank them and help them to show your gratitude.

This commentary seemed very interesting to us because it explains the difference between being thankful and wanting to give thanks back. If I was in a situation where someone helped me write something in class when I broke my arm, I would do something for them later. In this case, G-d gives people the year of rest and that is giving you some time to relax. So if G-d tells you to do something in return, you should do it. Like even on the rest year you keep shabbat.  

The commentary and the pasuk have the same ideas of returning favors, and it teaches an important lesson about gratitude in everyday life. 

Our pasuk shows that people can care for each other in times of need and will support one another. We are all connected, and we feel for each other and will care for each other when they need it. G-d helped us, and now taught us to help each other. So be grateful, for your parents, your friends, your teachers, for anyone, because they are grateful for you.

hank you, Shabbat shalom