B"H

Friday, Iyar 21, 5786 (36th day of the Omer) / May 8, 2026

This Shabbat we read the last two Parshiot in the Book of Leviticus – Parshat B’Har & Parshat B’Chukotei. With this reading we will conclude the third book of the Torah – Leviticus (Vayikra).

Parshat B’Har begins with the Sabbatical year (Shmita). Every seventh year the Land in Israel had to be given a year of rest, just as every seventh day is Shabbat – a day of rest.

The number seven is significant in Judaism.   Shabbat is the seventh day.  The seventh yearis Shmita.  After sevenShmita years, there is the year of "Yovel" - Jubilee.  In preparation for receiving the Torah on the holiday of Shavuot, we count Sefirah for seven weeks. The patriarchs (Abraham, Yitzchak, Yaakov) and matriarchs (Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel, Leah) total seven.  Moshe (Moses) was the seventh generationfrom Abraham. Our sages say, "The seventh is favored".

Parshat B’Chukotei begins, “If you follow My laws and guard My commandments and observe them I will give your rains in their time, the land will yield its produce, and the trees of the field will produce it’s fruits… You will live safely in your Land. I will grant peace in the Land, and you will go to sleep with nothing frightening you. I will eliminate wild animals from the Land and foreign swords will not pass through your Land.” These are special blessings which G-d provides for the Land of Israel.

When the Torah reader reads the last verse of this Parsha, everyone rises. When he concludes the reading, the entire congregation recites in unison, “Chazak, Chazak, Venitchazek.” Translation: “Be strong! Be strong! And may we all be strengthened!”

We wish our beloved Israel, “Chazak, Chazak, Venitchazek. - Be strong! Be strong! And may we all be strengthened!” Israel’s strength is our strength!

May Hashem guard and protect the Jewish people wherever they are, especially in the Holy Land. May Hashem guard and protect the soldiers of the IDF – on land, in the air and at sea, that they accomplish their missions with great success and no harm shall befall any of them.

Being that this Sunday is Mothers Day, we wish all mothers the above blessing, “Be strong! Be strong! And may we be strengthened!” May Hashem bless our mothers with physical strength, good health and lots of Nachas from their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

One of the greatest mitzvot in the Torah is honoring parents.The mitzvah is not only when they are alive, but also after their passing. We give charity in their memory and say the kaddish on their yartzeit and recite the Yizkor in their memory on the holidays – keeping their memories alive.

Honoring parents is one of the Ten Commandments. It is the only commandment of the Ten Commandments for which G-d prescribed a reward – the reward of long life.

SHABBAT SHALOM

Montreal candle lighting time: 7:52 / Shabbat ends: 9:02