I hope the ideas contained below, will provide you with some topics for discussion, at your Shabbos table.

Throughout the election campaign which has dominated the media for the last month, I have been struck by one remarkable fact. All the candidates have made their predictions about what is going to happen in the next few years, and how they are going to deal with it. In fact the last two premiers had their political lives transformed by events which nobody predicted. Tony Blair, by the twin towers disaster and the Iraqi war, and Gordon Brown, by the economic downturn.
Yet none of the current candidates has even mentioned the possibility, that something we have not thought of could occur, which will compel us to refocus our attention on something new.
But of course this is what happens all the time. Because we are not the masters of our own destiny. We try our best, but it is Hashem who manipulates events and determines the outcome. This is the meaning of the phrase “Ki Gerim Vesoshovim Atem Imodi”- For you are strangers and dwellers with me(Chap 25 Verse 23). We are tenants in Hashem`s world.
The worst thing that can happen, is for everything to occur at the wrong time in the wrong place. For example the new business order comes in, just when we cannot deal with it, or the doctor is on holiday just when we need him. That is why, says the Midrash, the punishments described in Bechukosai start with a “Vav” –“Ve-im Lo Sishmou” and finish with a “Hei”-Mosheh. Everything in reverse order and mixed up. The best thing, is when everything falls in to place, just at the right time. For that reason the blessings begins with an “Aleph”-“Im Bechukosai” and conclude with a “Taf”-Komemiyus. This symbolises everything happening in order and at the right time.
We have to lead our lives according to the parameters Hashem has given us, (see question on next page). If we follow His guidelines, we can hope He will make the right things happen to us, at the right time and place. For He is the one who controls what will happen in the world, not Prime Ministers or Presidents.

SOURCES; Sefer Latorah Velamoadim
-------------------------------------
QUESTION FOR THE WEEK;

Question 1
Which Mizvos in this week` Sedras, affect the way we can earn our livelihood?

ANSWER;
Amongst others;
A)You can work and cultivate your field but must let it rest in the 7th year
B)You must not overcharge when selling goods.
C)You must not charge Jews interest for lending money.
D)When “Yovel” was in force, any land which had been bought had to be returned in “Yovel”-“because you are strangers and dwellers with me”

SOURCES; Chumash.

Question 2
There is a famous prediction that in the times of Moshiach “The wolf will lie down with the sheep.” Where is this prediction referred to in this week`s Sedras?

ANSWER:
According to some opinions, in the Verse “And I will destroy evil animals from the land” Chap.26 Verse 6.

SOURCES: Toras Kohanim in the name of Rabbi Shimon.