Summary of the Parasha

Bechukotai (“In My statutes”) describes the blessings God will shower on Israel if it follows His laws: rain in its season, abundant harvests, peace in the land, victory over enemies, and above all: “I will walk among you”. Then come the warnings (the Tochachah) if the people turn away, up to exile.

But even then, God promises not to break His covenant: He will remember His covenant with Jacob, Isaac and Abraham, and He will remember the land. The parasha ends with the rules for property and persons dedicated to the sanctuary and their redemption. So ends the book of Leviticus.

Summary of the Haftara

“Hashem Uzi U’Ma’uzi” (“Hashem, my strength and my stronghold”)
Text in Jeremiah 16:19–17:14

Jeremiah prophesies the exile of Judah and condemns the person who trusts in man rather than in God: he will be like a shrub in the desert. “Blessed is the man who trusts in Hashem: he shall be like a tree planted by the water”, which fears neither heat nor drought. The haftara ends with the prayer: “Heal me, Hashem, and I shall be healed”, which we echo in the Amidah.

Parasha-Haftara Connection

Like the parasha, the haftara presents blessings and curses. But its tone is less dark and more hopeful: it ends with a prayer for healing and redemption, the complete Geulah, speedily in our days.