This week we have another double parsha
of Acharei Mos-Kedoshim. Both parshiyos deal with the kedushah of the Jewish
People, the responsibility we hold as the nation of Hashem to maintain a high
standard of character and morality. Both parshiyos discuss different mitzvos
that center around this idea and help us achieve this high standard. Parshas
Kedoshim even says it out right at the very beginning of the parsha. “קְדשִׁ֣ים
תִּֽהְי֑וּ כִּ֣י קָד֔וֹשׁ אֲנִ֖י יְהוָֹ֥ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם” “You shall be holy,
for holy am I, Hashem, your God” (Vayikra 19:2).
Rashi explains that this statement is following
off the end of Acharei Mos where we discussed immoral relationships. The
pesukim are telling us that once you separate yourself from immorality and sin,
holiness immediately fills the empty space. When Hashem tells us to be holy,
all we need to do is follow the instructions He has laid out for us and we are
on our way to holiness!
The Ramban asks a strong question on
this Rashi. Simply separating from sin does not immediately translate into
holiness. Even if we would not sin and only keep to the mitzvos, there are
still many ways to not maintain a standard of
holiness. For example, we are commanded to celebrate the holidays by
eating meat and drinking wine. Just because the food is kosher doesn’t mean
that we are automatically dignified in our consumption of it! What if we stuff
ourselves sick or drink ourselves silly, where is the holiness in that? The same
could be said for many mitzvos in the Torah, even by keeping to the letter of
the law a person can be an immoral and inappropriate individual.
Rather, the Ramban explains that there
are two stages, first a separation from immorality and then using the mitzvos
to raise ourselves up morally and spiritually. At the end of Parshas Acharei
Mos, the Torah gives us different laws in an effort to separate us from sin. At
the beginning of Kedoshim, we are told to be holy and then given mitzvos that
teach us how to achieve that holiness. The first step to holiness is “קְדשִׁ֣ים
תִּֽהיוּ”, which means to restrain
yourself even from that which is allowed. While it is certainly permissible to
drink wine, there are instances where limiting yourself makes you holy, such as
by a nazir. We are certainly allowed to talk, but even if don’t speak lashon
hara, there is still a benefit and dignity in not speaking idly.
But why must holiness come specifically through
limitations and restraint? Many people may look at the mitzvos in the Torah and
decide that they are able to keep it, however, they keep it while maintaining a
lifestyle of, ethical, but inappropriate and undignified behavior. Obviously,
the fact that they can indulge in whatever they want, even on a Torah level,
doesn’t keep them on a level we would consider holy. We must practice restraint
even on things that are actually allowed by the Torah.
What I have described here may sound to
some people as overly restrictive, perhaps controlling and unnecessary. But if
we look at the world, we know ourselves that what we consider to be moral,
upright people, are those who maintain not just these levels of decency, but of
dignity as well. Let us all work to be truly holy, and fulfill our destiny as
the Chosen Nation, the Jewish People.
Shabbat Shalom!
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