Weekly Torah portion: Bechukosi

By Rabbi Yaakov Marks

Rabbi Yaakov Marks
Rabbi Yaakov Marks

SAN DIEGO — If after all these hardships befall you, you continue to act improperly, “Those remaining from you will perish in the land of your enemies because of your sins and even from the sins of your fathers which are with you, you will perish.” (Leviticus 26:39) This statement presents the Talmud (Sanhedrin 27b) with a philosophical quandary. In another place, the Torah states, “A father will not die because of his children, and a child will not die because of his fathers. A person will only die on account of his own sins.” (Deuteronomy 24:16). This statement contradicts “… and even from the sins of your fathers that are with you, you will perish.” (Leviticus 26:39) Another apparent contradiction is mentioned, “… and the sins of the fathers will be remembered onto the children.” (Exodus 34:7). Both of these philosophies cannot be correct. How could we be told that we are only responsible for our own actions and then be held accountable for the collective guilt of our families? Why should we be responsible for something we didn’t do? Why should we be held accountable for sins that our fathers committed, even before we were born?

The Talmud answers that we are only held accountable for our fathers’ behavior if we continue the corrupt behavior of our fathers. If a person rejects the unscrupulous behavior of his progenitors and acts properly, he is not held accountable for his family’s illicit behavior. However, this doesn’t seem to fully solve the problem. If a person continues in the immoral ways of his fathers, he will be held accountable. Even though he is doing terrible things, why should he be punished for sins he did not commit? Just because he imitates the ways of his fathers why, should he be responsible for what his father did?

The Talmud teaches essential life skills for us to use in order to be able to live our life correctly and successfully. If our fathers performed corrupt acts, causing those negative behaviors to become ingrained into the family, and we are raised in that atmosphere to the point where we are numb to the evil of the acts, blaming what we do on the behavior of our parents, the Talmud tells us that we have no right to do so. The Rabbis are saying that no matter how bad, how evil, our family may be, no matter how accustomed we are to the corruption around us, and no matter how hard it is to refrain from one’s past behavior, a person has the power to change. A person might think that his behavior can be excused away, claiming that this was the way he was raised, stating brazenly, “It’s my father’s fault!” In such a scenario, G-d states that such a person will bear the punishment for a sin that he learned from his father. Even though the individual did not initiate the behavior, continuing such actions will cause the blame to be put only on the corrupt individual and not on his father. It will be extremely difficult to break such ingrained behaviors, but every person has the moral intelligence and strength of character to understand what is proper, to resist inappropriate, hurtful, and sinful behaviors and to do what is right. We are each responsible for what we do; no matter what anyone does to us, we are the only ones who control our actions.

What does the statement “We will be punished for the corruption of our fathers” mean? When a child sees the terrible repercussions his parents’ bad behavior has on other people, he should be repulsed from following in their footsteps. If he continues perpetuating this behavior and does not change, his actions are now considered even more reprehensible. His father’s corruption makes his actions even more corrupt.

Many families have unfortunately developed unhealthy habits. The way and amount they eat and drink can lead to severe health problems. When a child continues these bad habits, even after witnessing the devastation which such poor habits can cause, he becomes even more accountable. He cannot blame continuation of poor eating and drinking habits on his upbringing; it is his choice to continue. Yes, change can be difficult, but we were given the insight and strength to resist and grow. Many people blame their past for continuing to live in misery. Many people acknowledge their mistakes, change, and thrive.
May we merit to have the insight to understand, our abilities and faults. May G-d grant us the courage to admit our shortcomings and the strength to change.

*
Rabbi Marks is a life and health coach, who may be contacted via ahealthyrabbi@gmail.com. Comments intended for publication in the space below must be accompanied by the letter-writer’s first and last name and his/her city and state of residence (city and country if outside the U.S.)