Tag: Kedoshim

Parshas Kedoshim (5771)

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Parshas Kedoshim (5771)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

The ideal of kedusha is beautiful and inspiring but how do we reach this? Rashi share the secret at the beginning of the parshas — havei perushim min haarayos. We are living in an era of difficult tests in the are of arayos, with the morals in our environment in general at an all-time low and including our own strong Torah circles. This includes the lack of tznius in dress and even more so, the manner of behavior. The flip side of all this is the wonderful, grand opportunity for experiencing the great treasure of kedusha. Those of us that practice this appreciate and cherish this kedusha. Those of us that haven’t yet – taamu u’reu ki tov Hashem; allow yourselves the awesome pleasure and joys of connecting with Hashem, your Creator.

Have a wonderful Shabbos and a good Chodesh.

Parshas Kedoshim (5768)

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Parshas Kedoshim (5768)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

At first glance Rashi’s commentary at the beginning of the sedra on Kedoshim tihiyu that one should separate themselves from ‘arayos’ etc. seems that he is making use of the definition of the word kedusha to mean “separation”.

Perhaps for a deeper insight one can comprehend Rashi’s words that he is explaining kedusha using the most conventional meaning which is “holiness” i.e. attaining a higher level of sacredness.  This leads to a new insight as to Rashi’s intention; that by the above-mentioned separation one will attain kedusha, sanctification.

The reason for Rashi giving this interpretation we can explain based on the foundation of the Mesilas Yesharim that the level of kedusha is something which is humanly impossible to achieve by one’s own efforts.  It is solely a gift which is bestowed upon a person by Heaven.  The question then presents itself—how can the pasuk give a command “Kedoshim Tihiyu” for something that is impossible for us to achieve.  Rashi therefore explains that by distancing ourselves from the ‘arayos’ we are doing something which makes us worthy for this unique gift of kedusha from Heaven.

Hashem is giving us in this particular generation a grand opportunity to achieve true kedusha; let’s take advantage of it.

Have a wonderful Shabbos and uplifting Chodesh, full of blessings for Klal Yisroel.

Parshas Kedoshim (5760)

Parshas Kedoshim (5760)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

The word Kadosh has always seemed to me to be in a cloud of mystery, unclear, vague and confusing.  The Parsha this week brings to us the urgency to delve into and try to understand the meaning of the word.  It’s an important word to understand since it is one of the most outstanding praises of HaShem.  It is also used to describe one of the great qualities of Klal Yisroel and something we must aspire to attain.  It is also probably the most important word we ever utter in our communication with another human being on this earth.  Under the Chupa we say “Harei At Mikudeshes Li” to create the most significant bind with another person.

The most popular understanding of the word is “holy”, a connotation of some higher kind of existence that is pure and spiritual.  On the other hand, there is an understanding of this term that describes abstaining from indulgence in materialism and lust as in the opening of our Parsha.  To complete the triangle we find the word used in a third way—to designate, as the Rishonim explain is the connotation in the marriage ceremony.  We also find strangely enough the word Kedaisha which is basically the same concept as Rashi explains, she is set aside and specifically designated, in this case, to znus.

I found a Chazal brought in a Medrash which is in itself tremendously puzzling but surprisingly enough might shed light on our confusion about the clear meaning of Kadosh.   “Kadosh Kadosh Kadosh Hashem Tzavakos etc.” as likewise we say Elokai Avraham, Yitzchok V’Yaakov”.

Avraham Avinu being the pillar of Chesed, understood HaShem in His role of chesed.  HaShem’s specific devotion to the world was in the form of chesed.  Yitzchok Avinu the pillar of Avoda understood  HaShem in His role of holiness, spirituality.  HaShem is the world and fills the world yet He removes himself from the world.  This is one of the most difficult concepts to grasp and it is only through the depths of theTorah that we can approach this aspect of HaShem.  This is the area of the greatness of Yaakov Avinu.  So here we have all three concepts in the comprehension of Kadosh.  All seem to be correct and must be applied accordingly.  They encompass all three foundations of Torah. Avoda and Gemilas Chasadim.  It is interesting to note that the three places where we quote “Kadosh Kadosh” are firstly in Birkas Krias Shema saluting the chesed of HaShem, secondly in the kedusah of Shmone Esrai which is the avoda, and thirdly in Uva Letzion whose theme is Torah.

We should merit to earn and deserve, through the appropriate and proper fulfillment of the Torah, to become and be called Kedoshim–the very title and crown that Hashem takes as His own pride and glory.