2020/5780
In the second half of this week's double Parasha, Acharei Mot- Kedoshim, the Torah starts with a fascinating Pasuk, “Dabeir El Kol Adat Bnei Yisrael VeAmarta Aleihem Kedoshim Tehiyu Ki Kadosh Ani Hashem Elochecm,” “Speak to the entire congregation of Bnei Yisrael and say to them ‘You shall be Kadosh for I, Hashem your God, am Kadosh” ( Vayikra 19:2). This Pasuk is especially vague as it commands us to be Kadosh but never explains what such a state of being would entail. We know that we should follow Hashem and try to be like him, but what do the words holy really mean, and what is the message that this Pasuk is trying to teach.
Rashi, Vayikra 19:2 s.v. Kedoshim Tehyu, famously writes that this Mitzvah to be holy refers to refraining from sexual improprieties that are described in the prior section of the Torah.
However, both the Rambam, Vayikra 19:2 s.v. El Kol Adat Bnei Yisrael, and the Ohr HaChaim, Vayikra s.v. El Kol Adat etc., say that this Pasuk articulates a general principle. The Ramban, in disagreement with Rashi, states that this Pasuk teaches the principle of separating from improper behavior even if is, technically speaking, it is not explicitly forbidden by the Torah. For example, it is a Mitzvah to eat meat and drink wine at times, but this does not mean that we should eat and drink excessively. Extreme eating and drinking, is an example of what the Torah forbids with the Pasuk of Kedsohim Tehiyu. Ramban refers to this as a Naval BeReshut HaTorah, acting in a despicable manner while technically never having committed a sin.
Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman ZT’’L each day would eat only a cucumber, a potato, and a few spoons of oatmeal. Although we are not Gedolim like Rav Shteinman was, the message is still clear that we need to examine what we need in our lives and what is unnecessary. Should we always be rushing for the newest gadget or technology, or do we realize that although we may be able to buy those things, it is not worthwhile or necessary?
The Ohr HaChaim, ibid, remarkably observes that all we need to do in order to fulfill the mitzvah of Kedoshim Tehiyu is to avoid Aveirot. It is incredible that according to the Ohr HaChaim as long as we are sitting and not actively doing an Aveirah we are fulfilling a Mitzvah. Additionally, the reason that the Pasuk uses the term Kadosh is to show how easy it is to be a holy person. We should always try to reach higher and improve our Avodat Hashem and in our growth, however, we must also realize that every time we conquer the Yetzer Hara, we fulfill a Mitzvah. Often, we fight the Yetzer Hara whether or not to tell Lashon Hara, or whether we should be learning more, but we should recognize that even when we fail, we must not forget that although we sinned, countless Mitzvot were fulfilled in the battle against sin.
However, the Ohr HaChaim also writes that the Pasuk concludes with ‘’Ki Kadosh Ani Hashem Elokeichem’’ to show that we must strive to be holy. The Ohr HaChaim expounds that this could be the reason the Pasuk uses the word Dabeir and then Amarta. Dabeir has a stronger connotation, showing how serious it is that we emulate Hashem, and the word Amarta has a softer meaning. This shows the greatness of achieving a high spiritual level. We can explain with a Mashal from the Lubavitcher Rebbe. The Rebbe said in regards to the game of chess that humans are like pawns and the Malachim are like the horse, bishop, and other pieces. Malachim can go only to where they are told to by Hashem, they can go ten steps forward but only when directed by God, however, humans are like pawns we can only go forward and back and occasionally diagonal. However, if we keep going forward we can become like queens, and we can be even closer to Hashem than the Malachim because we have the choice to do so.