Dvar Torah Behar – Bechukotai 2005 – 5765 דבר תורה בהר בחוקותי

The Torah promises as a reward for observing the Mitzvot blessings of timely rain, of produce and trees and fruit, and other rewards. Then the Torah says: VENATATI SHALOM BA’ARETZ, “And I will send peace to the land … “ (Lev. 26,6) Rashi remarks, perhaps someone will say that there is food, there is drink, but if there is no peace then there is nothing. Hence the Torah promises in addition to all else there will be peace. Thus we see that peace is equal to all else.

Rashi is stating that without peace all the blessings that a country has is useless since the people cannot enjoy the benefits of the gifts. The same is true in one’s personal life. There are people who are blessed with all the physical possessions one can ask for. He can have a beautiful house well furnished, a beautiful car, and a nice bank account. If, however, there is no peace in his family, he cannot enjoy these wonderful blessings. If there is no peace between mother and father or between children and parents or between the children themselves, then all the seemingly good fortune is of no value.

Children can be blessed with wonderful material possessions, a nice home, great clothes and a nice allowance. If they do not have peace with their parents or siblings, and for that matter with their friends, then all the worthy things they have are not worthy at all. Peace is the biggest blessing a person can have. And this peace is not only with others but also, and perhaps most important, with oneself.