Parashat Kedoshim

We hope you all had a meaningful Yom Tov, and hopefully we will all bring the inspiration into action.

This week we are privileged to read the portion of Kedoshim. The Torah tells us (Vayikra 19/2) You shall be holy for I, Hashem your G-d, am holy. This is rather hard to understand. What relation does G-d's holiness have with our being holy ? There's an interesting Medrash, which can perhaps shed some light on the issue. The Medrash says, three will testify one on the other: Hashem, Shabbos and the Jewish people.

The Medrash is telling us that we, the Jewish nation are testifying, that although we are human beings and a human naturally desires mundane and materialistic things, yet since we as Jews have a Neshomo (soul), which is a part (so to say), of Hashem , we desire holiness and spirituality. However, the nations of the world don't have this natural leaning. This is what the Torah is telling you Kedoshim tihiyu - you shall be holy, for I am holy, meaning that this is the reason that you'll be able to achieve holiness for you are a part of Me and I am holy.

Now we can understand the the meaning of the Medrash. When Jews are holy they are testimony to G-d's sanctity. The same is true for Shabbos. How does Shabbos become holy as naturally all times (days) are the same, only because Hashem sanctified this day, does it have a holiness. This along with the Jews who sanctify the Shabbos makes the circle complete. G-d's sanctity was given to Jews (human) and to Shabbos (time) and they are testimony to the holiness of their source.

May we merit to follow in the ways of G-d, and be holy.

Gut Shabbos,