What does it mean for us to be Kedoshim, to be holy? As a child, I envisioned someone like Moshe whose external radiance shined bright what lay within. As I got older, a bit more curious, I wondered if it was simply a sense of extreme loftiness that is attained through years of dedication to learning and a particular way of life. I struggled at what we were being asked to strive for. Was it even attainable? Was it a mythical ideal that was never meant to be reached?
Perhaps, the answer lies in the combination of our two parshiot. This week we read Achrei Mot - Kedoshim. The first parsha focuses on Ahron’s role as the Kohen Gadol, the high priest, on the holiest day of the year, Yom Kippur. Yet, the backdrop of these directives is founded in the aftermath of his son’s death.
וַיְדַבֵּ֤ר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה אַחֲרֵ֣י מ֔וֹת שְׁנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֣י אַהֲרֹ֑ן בְּקׇרְבָתָ֥ם לִפְנֵי־יְהֹוָ֖ה וַיָּמֻֽתוּ׃
And Hashem spoke to Moshe after the death of the sons of Ahron when they drew too close to Hashem and died - Vayikra 16:1
How could Ahron comport himself to focus on the intricate steps and stages of the most holy of days in such a state? He did not have 7 days of shiva or any time to be consoled by his brother and family. Yet, in the face of the most significant tragedy in his life, Ahron put himself together in order to be there for his people in their most vulnerable time of need.
Then, as if simply flicking on a switch, we, the Jewish people, are now the focus of Hashem’s attention in the opening lines of Kedoshim.
דַּבֵּ֞ר אֶל־כׇּל־עֲדַ֧ת בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל וְאָמַרְתָּ֥ אֲלֵהֶ֖ם קְדֹשִׁ֣ים תִּהְי֑וּ כִּ֣י קָד֔וֹשׁ אֲנִ֖י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃
Speak to the entire Jewish congregation and you should say to them that they should be holy for Hashem, your God, is Himself holy - Vayikra 19:2
For first grade we are reminded that Hashem fashioned humans in His image. For Him to come now, for the first time since creation, and ask us to be holy as it is an essential part of Hashem’s identity seems a bit late. No one likes a late foul call especially after the play seems over. What is Hashem doing now, at this very moment in the Torah, bringing up the idea of holiness to be placed in the front of the minds of the Jewish people?
The Ramban, Nachmanides, picked up on this question seeing a link between these two parshiot. Ahron, broken down and shattered, was faced with a herculean task of staff in front of Hashem as an emissary on behalf of the Jewish people. Most would cower in face of that moment. Instead, he found meaning in life through the roles that he was called on to do that no one else could. He found a calling when all hope was lost. He found light when darkness was all that he could see.
How was he able to muster that internal strength? By dedicating himself to the lifestyle that Hashem, as the Ramban describes, articulated as holy. Being holy results by making significant and clear lines of delineation and distinction in our thoughts, actions and choices. LIke we discussed last week, our freedom to choose not to engage creates unseen gates around ourselves and our families as a means to truly attain a closer relationship with Hashem.
I spoke with our high school students on Yom Ha’atzmaut about what makes a Jewish leader. One element that is common amongst most is that they all went through tragedy, struggle and near death experiences before taking on the mantle of leadership. Why? When we are lost and clinging on to the last trickles of hope, that is when meaning and purpose is in our grasps.
Time for us to hold on tight and never let go.