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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Kdoshim
This week’s parsha contains many varied and different mitzvoth which deal with all areas of human life and experience. In fact, the parsha contains the greatest number of mitzvoth in the Torah. It is not coincidental that this plethora of mitzvoth occurs in the parsha of kdoshim.
The Torah intends to point out to us that mitzvoth are the building blocks - the stepping stones to achieving the goal of kdoshim. However, the mitzvoth therefore are not to be seen as being an end in themselves.
The true and intended end and goal is kdoshim. The mitzvoth are the Torah’s description of the means available to achieve that end goal. We pay great attention to the mitzvoth, their halacha and minutiae, and correctly and necessarily so.
But many times people become bogged down in the mitzvoth without realizing the goal of kdoshim that lies at the heart and purpose of mitzvoth. The Talmud compares mitzvoth to silver, money, wealth. Just as wealth is only a means to do good and achieve a better life and should never be viewed as the end and final goal itself, so too the mitzvoth are the beginning of the process of human elevation and not the end goal all in itself.
Judaism emphasizes the means and not just the goal. Both the means and goal are prescribed to us by heavenly fiat. For Jews, attainment of kdoshim is an elusive target.
All of Jewish history has shown that those who attempted to achieve kdoshim without the means of mitzvoth, in the main have failed. But even punctilious observance of mitzvoth does not always guarantee kdoshim.
Ramban in his famous comment states that one can be a ‘naval’ - an objectionable, obnoxious, even obscene person - within the parameters of seeming Torah observance.
The entire thrust of the famed Mussar movement in nineteenth century Lithuania and of the Chasidic revolution was to rectify this matter. God wants not only our mechanical observance of mitzvoth, as important as that is, but also our heartfelt commitment to be a morally better person.
Thus the Torah’s demand is not an unreasonable one for it describes the only way to achieve true humanity and immortality. By using the mitzvoth as our guide in life’s behavior and by remembering that behind the mitzvoth, so to speak, stands God to Whom we are eventually responsible for our actions, thoughts and deeds, we have an opportunity to reach that sublime goal of being kdoshim.
The discipline of mitzvoth creates an opportunity for spiritual growth and greatness. But it is up to us to truly exploit that opportunity to its fullest.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
