
The Theology of Consequence - Parshat Behar-Bechukotai 5787
From Ancient Lessons for a Modern Life with Adam Teitelbaum by Adam Teitelbaum
May 8, 2026 · 5 min
About this episode
This episode discusses the blessings and curses in Parshat Behar-Bechukotai and challenges the perception of G-d as vindictive.
This week's parsha, Behar-Bechukotai, is filled with blessings and curses from G-d to the Israelites. If you follow my commandments, you will have abundant blessings; if you stray, I will rain curses upon you. To many readers this is a case-in-point that G-d is vindictive, punitive, judgmental, and that everything in Jewish practice is generated via ultimatum. Stay with me here, I’m not the only one who disagrees with this assessment.
People in this episode
Host: Adam Teitelbaum
Topics covered
- theology
- consequences
- blessings
- curses
- Jewish practice
- commandments
Keywords
- theology
- consequences
- blessings
- curses
- Jewish practice
- commandments
- Parshat Behar-Bechukotai
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Parshat Behar-Bechukotai
Places: Israelites
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- The Shavuahthon - Shavuot 5786 · May 22, 2026 · 5 min
- Inward Bound - Parshat BaMidbar 5786 · May 15, 2026 · 5 min
- The Architecture of Presence - Parshat Emor 5786 · May 1, 2026 · 6 min
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