The יש

The Torah describes the behavior of Klal Yisrael leading to the tochacha, אם תלכו עמי בקרי. It is an interesting words and the meforshim give different explanations to explain the meaning. But why use such a strange word?

The Ariza"l teaches that the word עמר has the same gematria as the word יש. What is the connection? During the days of the Omer one is given the time to work on self improvement and polishing one's soul. It is the time to nullify one's יש, one's own ego and connect to Hashem (Neshivos Shalom.) However, paradoxically by nullifying one's own personal interests and by focusing on one's connection to Hashem, that is how one's יש is developed. One's true יש is to be in touch with the Divine connection within the individual. 

The Zohar Chadash says the word יש stands for יובל שמיטה. In other words, it is by ceasing to be engaged in our normal worldly pursuits that we can be focused totally on our connection to Hashem. That is why in yoval lands return to their owners, it is reflective of people returning to their source, returning to their true יש, which is by turning themselves into אין, so that it is the pure Divine connection that shines through a person (based upon Sfas Emes 5645.) That is why the Mishna says the reward of the tzaddikim is referred to in the possuk as להנחיל אוהבי יש. It is the יש of יובל שמיטה, the יש by removing one's יש that is the reward. 

The word קרי the Ariza"l teaches is also gematria יש. It is when one follows their own יש, not the יש of יובל שמיטה that leads to the tochacha. It is when one accesses their true יש that one turns the קרי into יקר.