This week's reading includes a terrible curse on the Jewish people for disobeying His commands, but even when He must curse us, He always adds a blessing.

No matter how badly Jews have been beaten, tortured, exiled and abused, we must know that each and every one of us has tremendous value.

While there may be 'thin line' between love and hate when it comes to people, God's love is forever!

The bottom line matters little. It is the effort, investment and time that one puts into Torah study that God cares about.

What does God mean by saying He will bless us if we observe his commandents? How can we succeed in His eyes?

This week’s Torah portion is Bechukotai, and it contains a scary rebuke. God warns us about what will be if we do not keep the commandments of the Torah.

While Behar first makes for some routine reading as it deals primarily with agricultural and real estate law, Bechukotai is moving and awakening.

So, too, on a related note, we need to realize that God seeks “excuses” to bless us whenever possible. His blessings are always there for the taking.