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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Kedoshim, 5756

“Speak to the entire assembly of Bnei Yisrael and say unto them, you shall be holy, for holy am I.” (19:2)

Chazal teach us that this Torah transmission was unlike the usual procedure for Torah transmission. The standard procedure was that Moshe would teach the mitzvos first to Aharon, then Nadav and Avihu, followed by the zekeinim, elders, and finally, the entire nation. In this instance, Moshe taught the mitzvos to the entire Klal Yisrael simultaneously. The reason for this change is that these mitzvos include the essential laws of the Torah. The extreme nature of these mitzvos required that everyone be present together. The various commentators focus upon the need for the entire assembly of Klal Yisrael to convene in…

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Home -> 5756 -> Kedoshim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Kedoshim, 5756

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” (19:18)

This comprehensive dictum of morality, the golden rule of human conduct, originated in the Torah. Chazal relate an incident between Hillel and a gentile who asked him to condense the entire Torah into its briefest possible form. Hillel answered, “What is hateful unto you, do not do unto your friend.” This statement has become the accepted interpretation of “Love your neighbor as yourself.” We may wonder why Hillel rephrased the pasuk into a negative form. Indeed, it would seem implied that Hillel focused only on negative morality – which definitely does not present a Torah perspective. Horav Yisrael Salanter, zl,…

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Home -> 5756 -> Kedoshim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Kedoshim, 5756

“Love your neighbor as yourself, I am Hashem.” (19:18)

Horav Yosef Leib Bloch, zl, comments that the last two words of this pasuk, ‘s hbt, “I am Hashem,” represent more than the conclusion of the pasuk. They actually define the essence of one’s obligation to be sensitive to his friend’s needs. He cites the Talmud in Sukah 53a which quotes Hillel Ha’Zakein’s famous exclamation during the Simchas Bais Ha’Shoeivah. “itf hbt ot itf kfv,” “If I am here, then everyone is here.” This statement contradicts everything we have been taught regarding Hillel’s character. He was known to be the paradigm of humility. How could he make such a statement?…

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Home -> 5755 -> Kedoshim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Kedoshim, 5755

“Speak to the entire assembly of Bnei Yisrael and say to them: You shall be holy.” (19:2)

Rashi explains that this section was proclaimed when all the people were assembled because most of the fundamental laws of the Torah are dependent on it. Many other mitzvos apply to only a particular segment of the nation, such as kohanim, leviim, the first-born, the males, etc.. The call to holiness, however, includes all of Klal Yisrael. Each person is implored to sanctify himself to the best of his ability. Each and every Jew has their own individual uniqueness which should be nurtured, developed, and sanctified l’shem shomayim, for the sake of Heaven. As Horav Eli Munk, z.l., notes, the…

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Home -> 5755 -> Kedoshim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Kedoshim, 5755

“Every man; you shall revere your father and mother, and you shall observe My Shabbosos.” (19:3)

Horav S.R. Hirsch, z.l., asserts that respect for parents and Shabbos observance are two critical factors in preparing one for a life of kedushah, holiness. Parents, as the progenitors of the next generation, serve as the repository of Jewish history and the transmittors of this tradition. In this capacity, they herald Hashem’s wishes and are His representatives here on earth. We are adjured here to fear and revere our parents. To accept parental authority, to revere them obediently, is a critical step in the discipline and temperance one needs in order to attain holiness. Horav Hirsch takes note of the…

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Home -> 5755 -> Kedoshim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Kedoshim, 5755

“With righteousness you shall judge your fellow.” (19:15)

In expounding on this pasuk, Rashi cites the famous dictum of Chazal in Pirkei Avos, “Judge all men in a favorable, meritorious light.” This axiom is more than good advice, it should be the accepted manner in which a Jew interacts with his fellow man. The Sfas Emes interprets the words “kol adam,” not as “everyman,” but as the “whole man.” If one wishes to find some merit in a person, he should judge him as a whole. He should not focus only upon his faults. Rather, he should look at the whole individual, and he will surely find some…

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Home -> 5755 -> Kedoshim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Kedoshim, 5755

“In the presence of an old person you shall rise and you shall honor the presence of a sage.” (19:32)

Rashi explains that the word iez, elder, refers to an elder in wisdom, a Torah scholar. He cites the Talmud in Kiddushin 32b that applies the notrikon technique of the word iez as implying         vnfj  vbea  vz  “this one has acquired wisdom.” This is consistent with the pasuk in Mishlei 3:35, “Honor is the inheritance of the scholar.” The Maharal explains that honor applies specifically to one who has amassed  a profound knowledge of the Torah. The physical world is inherently iniquitous and shameful, for it engenders debauchery and immorality. Thus, honor relates to that which…

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Home -> 5753 -> Kedoshim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Kedoshim, 5753

“Speak to the entire assembly of Bnei Yisrael and say to them be holy.” (19:2)

Rashi explains that this parsha was proclaimed “b’hakhel” because the majority of the fundamental laws of the Torah are dependent upon it. All of Klal Yisrael assembled to read this parsha, while many other mitzvos focus on specific groups, such as Kohanim, Leviim, firstborns, or males, the principle of kedushah, holiness, pertains to all members of the Jewish community. Each member of Bnei Yisrael is enjoined to work towards this goal to the best of his capabilities. Horav E. Munk, z.l., advances this idea. The presence of the entire community signifies that the ideal goal of holiness can be achieved…

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Home -> 5752 -> Kedoshim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Kedoshim, 5752

“Speak to the entire congregation of Yisrael and tell them, holy you shall be, for I am holy.” (19:2)

This parsha occupies a critical position not only in Sefer Vayikra, but, even more significantly, in the entire Torah. Indeed, Chazal state that the majority of the essentials of the Torah are summarized in this parsha. Its central imperative is Hashem’s charge to Klal Yisrael over all generations, Be Holy and Sanctified! It is not sufficient to be a pious individual, one must also dedicate his entire life to achieving the lofty and elusive goal of holiness. The motivation for this command is simply “For I am holy.”   Man should not simply worship Hashem; he is to imitate His…

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Home -> 5752 -> Kedoshim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Kedoshim, 5752

A man shall fear his mother and father, and My Sabbaths you shall keep.” (19:3)

Rashi notes that the observance of Shabbos is placed adjacent to the law of fearing one’s parents. He explains that this order informs us that, despite one’s obligation towards his parents, this mitzvah does not preclude observing the laws of Shabbos and other mitzvos as well. We may wonder at the Torah‘s choice of competing mitzvos. Indeed, the mitzvah of honoring one’s parents does not override any other mitzvos. Why is Shabbos, which is viewed as one of the most lofty mitzvos, chosen to serve as the specific example?   We may derive from this pasuk a lesson regarding the…

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