Parshat Achrei Mot-Kedoshim

Achrei Mot-Kedoshim

In this week's Parsha HaShem tells us "You Shall Be Holy". In explaining this pasuk, Rashi says this refers to separation from arayot (forbidden relationships), that wherever we find holiness we find a separation from Arayot. The Ramban disagrees with Rashi's interpretation; rather, he says the pasuk refers to separation from even that which is permissible to someone. According to the Ramban, HaShem is teaching us how to conduct ourselves in moderation. For example, while forbidding pork and other non-kosher animals, HaShem permitted animals which have the kosher signs, through slaughter. However, one who eats even permissible food past his physical satisfaction is a "נבל ברשות התורה", Naval Birshut Hatorah, someone who behaves disgracefully without actually violating a specific torah prohibition.

With the Ramban’s interpretation, we can gain a deeper understanding of HaShem’s message with this mitzvah. The pasuk says “Speak to the entire congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘You shall be holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy.’” We see here that HaShem gives a reason for this aveirah but why doesn’t Hashem give this same reason for other aveirot? Later in the parsha, for example, the Torah could have said "Don’t steal for I am your G-d" but instead no such reason is given. What is the significance here?

Perhaps one could explain as follows: The human mind and power of reason alone are only powerful enough to understand the idea of separation from something when it is clearly forbidden and harmful to oneself. However, if something is permitted, separation from it does not make any sense. If we are allowed to have something, then it should follow that it is good for us all of the time. Thus, we need to be told of its potential danger to us by HaShem. Only HaShem understands the dangers of an action to the spirit, and He tells us that sometimes we must separate from even that which is permitted in order to attain spiritual heights. According to this, the pasuk can be explained: Be holy! Because I am holy and I know what holiness is!

May we merit to see the day when we can all achieve true holiness with the building of the Beit Hamikdash.

Shabbat Shalom

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Naftali Kassorla