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Behukotai

The Resting of the Divine Presence

The essence of all the blessings enumerated in this Torah portion is ultimately the expression of the Divine Presence residing in the midst of the children of Israel.

“If you follow My statutes” (Leviticus 26:3). What is written there, in the blessings that follow this statement? “I will place My dwelling in your midst” (26:11). If you fulfill My commandments, I will abandon the world above and I will rest among you, as it is stated: “And I will dwell among the children of Israel” (Exodus 29:45). It was for that purpose that the Israelites left Egypt, in order that they would build the Tabernacle and the Divine Presence would rest in their midst…. If they perform My will, My Divine Presence will not move from their midst. Why? Rabbi Ami said: The Holy One, blessed be He, desired that just as He has a residence above, He would have a residence below. (Tanĥuma, Behukotai)