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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
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- 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.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
Jewish Laws and Thoughts Shul “etiquette:” can we honor Hashem while respecting our fellow congregants?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
