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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Emor
All right, we hear the commandment. But what, exactly, does it mean "to be holy?" What is holiness?!
There are no less than 51 Mitzvot enumerated in this sedra; 13 "do’s" & 38 "don’ts." Perhaps we can discern "holiness – kedusha" by using these Mitzvot as a guide. So let’s see how it is that we should act:
Clearly, our interaction with others should be done in a "God-ly" way: We should hold our parents in awe; we should devote part of our field (e.g. our income) to the poor; we should not take something that doesn’t belong to us; we should pay our debts on time; we should love, not hate others; we shouldn’t gossip about or embarrass them; we should be honest in our business dealings & should give special respect to Torah scholars.
But there are other things we also must do to be "holy," things that don’t necessarily involve other people. We can’t make an idol for ourselves; we can’t cross-breed certain animals or plants; we have to let our trees go untouched for 3 years; we can’t eat or drink like a glutton or a guzzler; we can’t use a razor to cut certain parts of our beard or have a tattoo embedded into our skin.
So it seems like holiness – or "whole-iness," you might call it - is an overall state of being, a 24/7 state of being, whereby both our bodies as well as our souls are fully committed to a spiritually-directed way of life.
But I want to add another crucial aspect of holiness, one stated by the Ramban, Nachmanides. Quoting the Gemara in Yevamot 20, "Be kadosh in what is permitted to you," he says that Kedusha is reflected just as much by your behavior vis a vis what is allowed to you as by what is forbidden to you. Yes, you must tell the truth; but must you share that same truth if it causes others discomfort? You are entitled to be wealthy, but must you flaunt your wealth? You know the answer to every question, but can’t you let the other students answer sometimes, too? Holiness, says Ramban, is all about holding back.
The word "Kadosh" is strongly connected to the word, "Hekdesh." Hekdesh refers to that which was set aside in the Bet HaMikdash & exclusively designated to be used only in the service of Hashem. Isn’t this the essence of a Jew? Weren’t we, also, "set aside" by G-d & commanded to conduct ourselves in a uniquely moral & spiritual way, so that we could be an example to the whole world?
"Be Holy!" A very short statement - but a very tall order!
Rabbis in Midrash
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.