Behar-Bechukotai

This week we read the double portion of Behar-Bechukotai which ends the book of Vayikra. Behar continues the telling of rules including the rules for the Sabbatical and Jubilee years, rules for owning property in the Land of Israel and rules about how to do business. Parashat Bechukotai is also known as the "Tochechah," the "warning" or "reproof," because it contains a list of the consequences Israel would face if the people disobeyed God's laws. The Israelites are reminded repeatedly in the book of Vayikra to be holy. To be holy, the people must obey and observe the laws. The closing portion of Vayikra contains consequences for disregarding the commandments. Whereas the blessings for observing the commandments are described in just ten verses (Vayikra 26:3-13), the curses cover 28 verses (Vayikra 26:14-42).

Ibn Ezra, a Jewish scholar of the 10th century, explained that the curses were spelled out in greater detail so that they would frighten the listeners.

Do you believe that someone would be more likely to obey the commandments because s/he was frightened into doing so? Why do you follow rules and regulations? If you know the consequences in advance, does it prevent you from breaking the rules? What would life be like if our society did not have rules or consequences?