Unlike Parshat B’har, which begins with the public mitzvah of shemittah, Parshat Bechukotai begins, according to Chazal, with the more personal mitzvah of Torah study. The Torah enjoins us to study its words diligently, with total immersion and dedication. Though studying Torah is the most important mitzvah, it is performed in private. Therefore, unlike shemittah where it is obvious whether people are observing it or not, Torah fulfillment is more opaque. Additionally, even if a person is learning Torah, it is hard to tell whether he is fully immersed in it. This being the case, people might question how significant each individual minute of Torah studying is. Yet the Torah in the second pasuk in the parsha connects in a causal relationship Hashem’s granting the requisite rainfall needed for society with proper Torah learning. In other words, Hashem makes it very clear that society’s health depends in no small measure upon the individual and localized learning of the nation’s people.
By keeping in mind the beginning of both of this week’s Torah portions at the same time, leaders will constantly be on the lookout for leadership opportunities in both momentous and routine moments. Success or failure can be caused by anyone, from anywhere, at anytime.