This week’s parasha‘s main feature is the brachos and klalos, the blessings and curses. Hashem explains to us very clearly what we do wrong, how to act correctly, and what the respective punishments and rewards are for acting according to His will or not.

Next we learn about giving gifts to the Beis Hamikdash, the Temple, from money to animals and everything in between, including property (or its value). The parasha ends off with the mitzvah, commandment, of giving ma’aser, a tenth, of your animals to Hashem, and with that we conclude the entire Sefer Vayikra, with Chazak, Chazak, V’nischazeik! Be strong! Be strong! And may we be strengthened!

Go out into the world. You’ll observe many fascinating things. One phenomenon you’ll find is people living lives without meaning, without a motivating factor. Isn’t that sad? People say, “If there’s a Creator to this world, then where’s the instruction manual?”

Do they really think Hashem would have created this fantastic, gorgeous, amazing world, and left us to figure it out on our own? Of course not! Hashem specified for us very clearly exactly how we should act in this world. He told us, in this very week’s parasha, what will happen when we follow the Torah, His instruction manual, and what will happen if we don’t.

Living according to the specifications that Hashem Himself instructed can enable us to live productive, happy, fulfilling lives, from the time we’re young, through Bas Mitzvah, teenagehood, and beyond.

How often do you stop to read the instruction manual?

Gut Shabbos!