A Higher Standard (Parashat Kedoshim)

While studying in Beis Medrash, I remember one of my Rebbeim introducing a new concept in halacha.  When I questioned him on the source for the halacha so that I could tell it over to others, he referenced the pasuk in this week's parasha "You shall be holy, for holy am I, Hashem, your G-d", stating that one of his Rebbeim used to say that pasuk was the source behind every halacha.  While I, respectfully, disagree with that method of answering; I strongly agree with the concept overall.

In this weeks parasha, Hashem instructs Moshe to "speak to the entire assembly of the Children of Israel" (leave nobody behind) and give over this commandment of holiness to them.  It is, perhaps, one of the most profound commandments we have in the entire Torah.  Every Jew has an obligation to be holy - just as Hashem is.  We must understand that, if we are to truly assume our role as Hashem's children and emulate His greatness, we must be like Him - we must be holy.

I have had numerous conversations with students over the years as to why Hashem had to "burden" us with so many commandments.  I explain to them that the purpose of these commandments is to help us grow closer to Him.  Hashem created us so that he can be our Father and we can be His children.  In order to establish a loving relationship between the two, we must have some form of similarity.  After all, the way people bond is over their similarities - it is what we have in common with others that draws us to them.  All of Hashem's characteristics add up to one overall trait - holiness.  Therefore, he provides us we halachot that will enable us to achieve this trait as well.  In fact, if you look at any halacha that exists, you will find an underlying purpose that enables one to become a better person (i.e. - covering the challah on shabbat teaches to be considerate of the feelings of others).

In one of his shiurim, Rabbi Dovid Orlofsky suggests that people not strive to be frum or religious.  Rather, he suggests, strive to be holy.  For if a person strives to be holy, he will - ultimately- be much more than frum.  Additionally, this week's parasha does not command us to be the former, it commands us to be the latter.

May we all strive to be holy and, in doing so, may we grow closer to Hashem, our Father.  In doing so, may we be zoche to see the coming of Mashiach speedily in our days!

Shabbat Shalom!!

Knowing What Counts (Parashat Acharei Mot)

"You shall observe My decrees and My judgments, which man shall carry out 

and live by them - I am Hashem."

The pasuk above is one of the commandments which is given to us by Hashem in this week's parasha - to live by the decrees and judgments that He gave us.  I can recall having many conversations, during my time both as a Rebbe in Yeshiva and working for NCSY, with students about how "difficult" (as they put it) it must be to be an observant Jew.  That insisted that living in such a manner was restrictive and prevented one from truly enjoying life.

At first glance, this week's parasha seems to prove them correct.  Indeed, Hashem tells us that we must live according to His ways - yes, that could be quite restrictive.  However, Rashi explains it a bit differently.  He states that the verse is not referring to living in the present world (Olam HaZeh), rather it refers to  living in the world to come (Olam HaBah).  Hashem promises us that, if we follow his commandments, we will enjoy a prosperous life in the world to come!

Though it is easy to lose focus of it, one must understand that this world is a temporary domain - simply a place to earn points to be "cashed in" in the next world.  That is what Hashem is trying to teach us this week - if we keep his mitzvot, we will have plenty of points to use in the next world and that is where we will enjoy life!!

May Hashem grant each of us the ability to differentiate between this world and the next. May we, in turn, utilize that ability and focus on the future - not the present.  In doing so, may we be zoche to see the coming of Mashiach speedily in our days!

Shabbat Shalom!!

P.S. - In response to my students, I would answer them that my life is not the slightest bit restrictive.  Rather, having a set path to live by only strengthens my ability to enjoy it!  Additionally, I would show them how each "law" that exists is there to enhance my life, not restrict it...

Taking a Deeper Look (Parashat Metzora)

"When you arrive in the land of Canaan that I give you as a possession, and I will place a tzara'at affliction upon a house in the land of your possession..."

This week's parasha discusses the laws of one who speaks negatively of his fellow Jew.  The Torah explains that a blemish will appear on the wall of his house and he will have to seek out the Kohen for further investigation.  One of the steps to this process is that he will break a whole in the wall, at which point - Rashi explains (in accordance with the above stated verse) - he will find hidden treasure left behind from the Canaanites who lived there before him.

At first glance, it would seem strange that Hashem chooses to reward a person for speaking lashon hara by presenting them with treasure.  In fact, that would almost be an incentive to go and commit this sin!  Chazzal explain that the purpose of the treasure is to teach the speaker a message: just like the wall is a plain wall on the outside, yet when you break through the surface you see gold - so too, the person you are speaking about might seem one way on the outside, yet when you get too know them they too will be a treasure.

I would like to add to this concept.  Anyone who has studied basic psychology has learned that the reason one speaks ill of another is, in fact, because the speaker really has problems with his own character and therefore finds flaws in the characters of others.  Perhaps, in this week's parasha Hashem is not only teaching the speaker that his victim is truly golden on the inside, but that if the speaker takes a deeper look at his own self he will find that he is truly a treasure!!

May we all recognize that each of us is made "in the image of Hashem" and we are all treasures!  In doing so, may we not feel the need to find flaws in others and may we be zoche to see the coming of Mashiach speedily in our days!

Shabbat Shalom!