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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Kdoshim
It sounds so simple, doesn’t it? "Just be holy!"
As if we can close our eyes, snap our fingers &
immediately elevate our souls to Heaven itself!
What exactly is this connection to Hashem?! Can we really, truly emulate
G-d, who defies not only definition, but imitation?
Perhaps the Torah is telling us that just as
Hashem is bound by the Mitzvot that Hashem
commands to us – thus Anim Z’Mirot records that
G-d also wears Tefilin! – so should we, also, do
the Mitzvot right along with G-d!
But while Hashem may indeed "keep" Shabbat, the
vast majority of the Torah’s other Mitzvot –
including most of the 51 Mitzvot in this Sedra –
are davka not kept by G-d! Just look at the very
first Mitzva in the parsha: "Every person: your
mother & father shall you revere." This could not
possibly apply to Hashem, who surely does not
have a mother or father - perhaps that is why the
command is introduced by the unusual heading, "every person."
And continuing the list of Mitzvot: Could Hashem
worship an idol? Could G-d steal (everything
already belongs to Hashem)! Could Hashem swear
falsely "by the name of Hashem?!" Could Hashem
"fear G-d," or have any of the many illicit
sexual relationships that are listed here?
So obviously, there must be another meaning to
the idea of being "holy as Hashem is Holy." I
suggest we focus on the word "Kadosh" to understand what it really means.
"Kadosh" connects to the word "Hekdesh," which
means "set aside for a holy purpose." For
example, if a person designated a particular
object or sum of money to be utilized for a
spiritual purpose in the Mishkan, that item could
not be used for anything else. It was sacrosanct.
As Jews, we have a particular & defined
spiritual, holy purpose in life: We are meant to
be mortal examples of G-d’s attributes; walking,
talking models of the values & ideals that Hashem
represents. That is why we are here on this
Earth, that is the "Hekdesh" mission that "sets
us apart" from every other nation. It may be
reflected in our belief in One G-d, in the way we
relate to other human beings, in our adherence to
modesty & sexual mores or in the respect we have
for our parents, teachers & Land.
This is what makes us "like G-d:" Hashem is
unique, unlike any other "god," & so we, too, are
a unique people. We give our all, even if it is
costly or dangerous, to proudly wear the badge of
Jew. Something to bear in mind this week as we
show our love & gratitude to all the holy
Chayalim who give their all & so epitomize Kedusha.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
