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How does failure to toil in Torah (תורה) study ultimately lead to denying God's existence? The tochacha's seven-stage progression reveals that only genuine Torah effort provides authentic connection to eternal reality, while material accomplishment offers mere illusion. When people lose this spiritual grounding, they become repelled even by Shemitah's promise of blessing, preferring physical struggle to confronting their inner emptiness.
This shiur provides a profound analysis of the tochacha (rebuke) section in Parashas Bechukosai, examining the progression of seven sins that Rashi (רש"י) identifies as following from "im bechukosai lo telechu" - if you do not follow My statutes. The Rav explains that this refers not merely to not learning Torah (תורה), but specifically to not being "amel b'Torah" - not toiling in Torah study with one's full effort and concentration. The shiur begins by addressing fundamental questions about the nature of the sins and punishments described in the tochacha. Why do these specific sins follow in sequence? How does the failure to engage properly in Torah study lead ultimately to denying God's existence? The answer lies in understanding what gives a person his sense of reality and existence.
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Parshas Bechukosai - Vayikra 26
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