The Blueprint for Work-Life Balance: Insight of Parshat Behar

In today’s fast-paced world, many struggle to find balance between work and rest. The demands of modern life often leave us feeling overworked, stressed, and disconnected from what truly matters. Surviving in today’s economy means work follows us home. It’s under this premise that the Torah offers profound insights into the natural rhythms of life, teaching us how to structure our days and years to foster both productivity and peace, aligning us with creativity.

In Parshat Behar, we are reminded of the natural order of the world and the law of how energy is renewed. This portion provides a way to structure our days and years through cycles of seven. God commands that the land be worked for six years and then allowed to rest on the seventh, mirroring the command in Exodus to work for six days and rest on the seventh, just as in the story of creation.

The Torah states:

You may sow your field for six years, and for six years you may prune your vineyard, and gather in its produce. But in the seventh year, the land shall have a complete rest, a Sabbath to the Lord.

 

Work and rest balance

Though this may seem repetitive, the Torah emphasizes two critical points by reiterating the Sabbath rest. First, it ties the concept of rest to the land itself. The land cannot be worked all the time. This linkage extends the command of rest beyond humans, highlighting that it is a natural law. Overworking ourselves without taking a day of rest leads to physical and mental exhaustion, ultimately breaking down the system. Just as the land needs rest to rejuvenate and remain fertile, so too do we need regular intervals of rest to maintain our health and productivity.

Similarly, the Torah underscores the necessity of work. We are called to create and contribute for six days, which gives meaning and purpose to our lives. Idleness, lacking productive engagement, can lead to a sense of purposelessness, depression, and a lack of zest for life. By balancing work and rest, we align ourselves with a rhythm that sustains our energy and enthusiasm.

By aligning weekly with the rest of the Sabbath, we tap into a different dimension—one that nourishes our souls and enriches our familial life and relationships. With conscious practice, we can extend this sense of renewal into the week through moments of prayer, meditation, or other nourishing activities.

The second reason for repeating the Sabbath command in Parshat Behar is human nature’s tendency to forget. By emphasizing that even the land must rest, the Torah anchors this principle in our consciousness. It guides us to acknowledge that this is a natural law for everyone and everything. We are not beyond this rule.

Spiritual renewal

The command to rest on the Sabbath is so significant that God does not want us to forget it and, as a result, reminds us in different texts throughout the Torah. The Sabbath is essential because it encourages us to be present in our rest, to fully embrace the Sabbath as a time to disconnect from the pressures of future planning or past regrets. This practice promotes freedom from the ego, allowing us to live in the moment and experience true peace.

It encourages us to refrain from planning events or dwelling on future activities after the Sabbath. By being anchored in the present, we allow new energy to enter our psyche and become open vessels for what is to come. This practice grants us freedom from worries and the relentless inner critic, as the ego cannot function in the present moment. This in itself is a profound gift to humanity. By practicing this presence throughout the Sabbath, we cultivate the ability to tap into this state during the week, enriching our daily lives with moments of peace and clarity.

Parshat Behar teaches us the importance of balancing work and rest, reflecting the natural law of renewal. By following this divine rhythm, we ensure that both our bodies and spirits remain rejuvenated and that we live meaningful, fulfilling lives.