Be a blessing, to merit the blessings of Bechukotai

The beginning of Parshat Bechukotai paints an image of the kind of blessing we hope to receive from G-d. There are three conditions that Israelites must fulfill before they can enjoy G-d’s bounty: walk in G-d’s decrees (which means to labor in Torah), observe the commandments (guard them in one’s heart, through remembering what we learn), and the actual fulfillment of mitzvos.

The message is logical. The Torah makes it clear here that when the Jewish people fulfill their end of the deal, life in the land will be incredibly blessed.

We ask G-d to bless us with rain, crops, and produce, in overabundance. We ask for peace, for no dangerous animals to threaten, and for the sword to not even pass through the land. We pray that enemies will be easily chased away, and large numbers of them will be defeated by very small numbers of us. We embrace the blessing of people being fertile and numerous in the land. We accept the blessing that the Mishkan will last in the land and not grow tired of us.

All of this culminates with the most amazing promise of, “I will make My presence felt among you. Thus I will be a G-d to you, and you will be a nation dedicated to Me.” (26:12)

Some of the commentaries describe these last blessings as referring to the World to Come. Others say it is a reference to what will happen in the Land of Israel when all of the Jewish people are fulfilling their missive as Jews who observe and keep the Torah and try to do as many mitzvot as they can.

Ramban talks about G-d’s presence here as the introduction to the concept of the Shechinah. He explains that the complete presence of G-d will only be felt when the heavens and earth can be complete, in the way they are meant to be. He cautions that these blessings were never achieved in their entirety — not by the masses nor by an individual — because their merits never added up.

Ramban concludes his commentary on this verse with a midrashic quote that was expanded upon by Rashi who describes the image of G-d “making His presence felt amongst you” as “G-d strolling with us in the Garden of Eden like one of us.”