5784/2024

In Parashat Kedoshim, the first commandment given, in this Parashah full of Mitzvot, is rather peculiar. Hashem says to Moshe: “Daber El Kol Adat Bnei Yisrael V’Amarta Aleiham Kedoshim Tiyu… “Tell the whole congregation of Israel to be holy” (VaYikra 19:2). Normally when the Torah gives us a Mitzvah, there are specific instructions on how to do said Mitzvah. We saw this just last week where the Torah details step by step the Avodah on Yom Kippur. But here, the Torah merely says “Be Holy”. What does holiness mean? How can we achieve holiness?

Rashi explains that Kedushah is achieved by distancing oneself from Arayot, or forbidden relationships. The Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh adds on to this saying that at the end of last week's Parashah, Acharei Mot, there were a slew of Mitzvot Lo Ta’aseh regarding Arayot. The Torah wanted to add a positive commandment so that when you do these Aveirot, not only do you violate Mitzvot Lo Ta’asehs, you also miss out on an opportunity to do a Mitzvat Aseh of being holy. The Chizkuni brings down a different idea. He says that being Kadosh is directly intertwined with the rest of this Parashah. He says that the way Kedushah is achieved is by doing the Mitzvot that are mentioned throughout the Parashah.

Ramban gives over an alternative Pshat of what Kedushah is and how it could be achieved. He says that what Kedushah means is to be separated. Hashem is holy because he is separated from all beings and is greater than our minds are capable of understanding. We achieve holiness, says the Ramban, from self control, stopping us from doing acts that aren’t Assur from the Torah, but we shouldn’t be doing excessively. He explains that the Torah forbids many things such as Arayot, Killing, among a plethora of others. 

What the Torah doesn’t forbid is, eating, having relations with your wife, and using profanity. A Naval BeReshut HaTorah as he calls it, a disgrace within the boundaries of the Torah, is someone who doesn’t technically do anything wrong, but he isn’t doing the right thing. He doesn’t eat non-kosher, but he sits around all day using profanity, excessively eating, and many other things. In order to achieve Kedushah, you must use self control to not do these things that while aren’t forbidden by the Torah, are completely disgusting things to do. This is not to say you can’t eat, but rather to say that in order to achieve Kedushah, you have to live a life of purpose, and not just slouch around all day. 

Let us all, just as Ramban says, make our lives meaningful and full of purpose in order to achieve Kedushah. It doesn’t mean every second you have to be involved with Torah, but life has to be something more than a materialistic idea to achieve Kedushah.