Parashat B'chukotai | Confronting Behavioral Modification and Finding Hope
This week's parashah, Parashat B'chukotai, the last portion of the Book of Vayikra/Leviticus, is a challenging text for those of us living on the margins who are always being told we do things wrong and need to fit in to be accepted or stay safe. Our Torah portion is filled with legalistic decrees and dire warnings that clash with contemporary values and affirmations of our identities, forcing us to confront the text from our perspective as marginalized individuals, highlighting the ableism, the violence, and the fear inherent in these laws.
The parshah begins with a conditional promise: “If you follow My statutes and observe My commandments and perform them…” (Leviticus 26:3). The blessings that follow include timely rains, abundant harvests, peace in the land, and the Divine's presence among the people (Leviticus 26:4-13). So far so good. However, the bulk of our Torah portion focuses on the consequences if the Israelites do not follow the Divine's commandments, describing severe curses such as disease, famine, and exile (Leviticus 26:14-45). This section is nothing more than a series of overt threats: obey and be rewarded, disobey and be punished. It's an old-school approach that isn't very affirming and can lead to dangerous ways of thinking about the world. Indeed, this is how it's been seen and continues to be seen by some.
For an autistic and multi-disabled Jew like me, who struggles with having my autonomy challenged multiple times per day, this part of the Torah is particularly difficult to connect to. Indeed, it's impossible. It also lends itself to extremism and a punitive mindset. The entire section of Leviticus 26:14-45 with all the curses reminds me too much of the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy I endured as a child and behavior modification in general. Many disabled humans are familiar with this—trying to fit into an abled world due to threats and needing to conform to be accepted, even to the point of enduring pain to avoid the consequences.
ABA "therapy," developed by Dr. Ivar Lovaas in the 1960s, was designed to modify the behavior of autistic children through a system of rewards and punishments. Lovaas also spearheaded the UCLA Feminine Boy Project, which aimed to "prevent" boys from "becoming" gay or transgender through similar behavior modification techniques. Both ABA and this so-called "conversion therapy" stem from the same harmful mindset: that we must change fundamental aspects of who we are to be accepted by society and that the way we are, the way the Divine created us, is wrong. By extension, we are seen as outcasts and an aberration of the Divine plan. This approach has caused immense pain and trauma for countless individuals and continues to do so today.
As we read Parashat B'chukotai, we are confronted with a similar system of behavioral modification: follow the rules and be rewarded, break them and suffer. For autistic, otherwise neurodivergent, disabled, and queer humans, this echoes the threats and coercion we've faced in trying to navigate an ableist, homophobic, transphobic, and bigoted world. It brings to mind the struggle of trying to fit into societal norms that do not accommodate our needs or recognize our value as we are.
So how can we re-read our parsha in a way that makes sense for us? The truth is, it’s difficult to do so. It's impossible even. Our mission here is to call it out for what it is: a text that is deeply harmful and unhelpful for our identities and experiences. However, we can find solace and affirmation in the Haftarah, the portion from the Prophets that we read on Shabbat after the Torah reading.
This week's Haftarah is from the book of Jeremiah, my favorite prophet and someone I see as one of the strongest autistic voices in the Bible. Jeremiah's words offer a much more affirming vision. He speaks of a future where the community is rebuilt and relationships are restored. Jeremiah 16:19-17:14 emphasizes the Divine's enduring love and the promise of redemption. Unlike the harsh conditions in Parashat B'chukotai, Jeremiah’s message is one of hope and renewal, recognizing the intrinsic value of each person.
In Jeremiah 17:7-8, we read: "Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." This metaphor of a tree, resilient and thriving, speaks to the potential for growth and flourishing despite adversity—a powerful message for our community in the context of a parsha which leaves us wanting.
By focusing on the Haftarah and the prophetic call for justice, compassion, and inclusivity, we can find a framework that supports our values and experiences. Jeremiah's vision aligns with our commitment to building a community that affirms and uplifts all its members, especially those on the margins.
As we confront the difficult text that is Parashat B'chukotai, we can draw strength from Jeremiah's words and the broader prophetic tradition that champions justice and mercy. This approach allows us to honor our struggles while looking forward to a future where our identities are celebrated, and our communities are inclusive and just.
Shabbat Shalom.
