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 to conduct ourselves in moderation. For example, while forbidding pork and other non-kosher animals, HaShem permits 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, one 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 He does not give this reason for other aveirot. Later in the parsha, for example, the Torah could have said "Don't steal for I the Lord, your God, am holy" but no such explanation is given. What is the significance here?
Perhaps one could explain as follows: The human mind and power of reason alone are only great 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 to us. 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 by HaShem. Only HaShem, the One who defines holiness, 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 read as follows: Be holy! Because I am holy and I know what holiness is!
However, inasmuch as HaShem tells us that He is the progenitor of holiness, he commands us here to actually be holy ourselves. Now that we have been given this principle – that even positive things must be taken in moderation – we are commanded to use our intellect to decide when something is not good for us. Within the confines of Torah and halacha we need to THINK for ourselves. "Be Holy" says HaShem – "Be like Me by using your mind to figure out what will make you a holier person."
With this combination of subservience to the wisdom of HaShem and the use of our own limited wisdom, may we merit to achieve sanctity in our lives.
Shabbat Shalom
Naftali Kassorla
