Parashat Bechukotai - Fourth Aliyah

The aliyah opens a new chapter: the laws of Arakhin (valuations) and vows. A person who wishes to consecrate their value to God pays a fixed amount that the Torah determines, not based on market value but by category.

The Arakhin vow. “Ish ki yafli neder be’erkekha nefashot lAdonai” (verse 2). The word “yafli” indicates something special, extraordinary. A person who says “my value is upon me” commits to paying a sum of money to the Temple. Not themselves, but their monetary value as the Torah defines it.

The valuation table. A male aged 20-60: fifty shekel. A female of the same age: thirty. A young male aged 5-20: twenty, and a young female: ten. An infant from one month to five years: five for a male and three for a female. From age sixty and above: fifteen for a male and ten for a female. The amounts are fixed and do not depend on status, ability, or contribution to society. Every person has a set value according to category.

Accommodation for the poor. “Ve’im makh hu me’erkekha vehe’emido lifnei hakohen… al pi asher tasig yad hanoder ya’arikhenu hakohen” (verse 8). Someone who cannot afford the full amount is assessed by the priest according to their means. The Torah does not want the vow to break the one who vowed. Even in commandments between a person and God, there is sensitivity to financial circumstances.

A consecrated animal. “Lo yachlifenu velo yamir oto tov bera o ra betov” (verse 10). An animal that has been consecrated for a sacrifice cannot be exchanged. And if one does exchange it, both become holy. Speech creates reality: the moment you said “this is for God,” there is no going back.

Consecrating a house. “Ve’ish ki yakdish et beito kodesh lAdonai” (verse 14). A house can also be consecrated. The priest assesses its value, and if the owner wishes to redeem it, they add a fifth. The principle recurs: a word that has left the mouth is binding, and redemption costs more than the original commitment.