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These three words, ofhekt ‘s hbt “I am Hashem your G-d,” preface the chapter which relates the laws of morality. The primary objective of the laws contained in Sefer Vayikra is to raise Am Yisrael to the spiritual level of a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” Hashem had already mandated laws regarding holiness in the ritual service, man’s diet, and spiritual purity. In this chapter, He continued with laws dealing with moral purity. Horav Eli Munk, z.l., notes that moral legislation, like other types of legal directives, is not based upon social order, physical hygiene, or the instinct…

Horav M. Elan, z.l., offers a novel interpretation of this pasuk. The daily routine and lifestyle of some individuals are not consistent with their level of profundity in Torah law. They expound great scholarship, citing insightful thought and philosophy, but their actual behavior is consistent with one who is ignorant of the law. The true goal of every person should be that his conduct be commensurate with his degree of sophistication in Torah awareness. This is the Torah’s message. Your shall guard My laws and live by them. Your lifestyle shall reflect your knowledge. This is especially true when one…

The Torah in its moral code clearly defines that which is proper and moral, as opposed to that which is decadent and immoral. Society is always in flux, and that which was considered immoral and degenerate is no longer regarded as wrong and reprehensible. Intellectuals are constantly expounding new perspectives and outlooks on morality. The Torah here enjoins us to categorically reject the morals and way of life of the society wherein we live when they are antithetical to the Torah. We are admonished not to imitate the “doings of the land of Egypt or Canaan” even if this is…