This D’var Torah should be a Zechus L’Ilui Nishmas my sister, Kayla Rus Bas Bunim Tuvia A”H, my maternal grandfather Dovid Tzvi Ben Yosef Yochanan A”H, my maternal grandfather Dovid Tzvi Ben Yosef Yochanan A”H, my paternal grandfather Moshe Ben Yosef A”H, my paternal grandmother Channah Freidel Bas Avraham A”H, my uncle Reuven Nachum Ben Moshe & my great aunt Rivkah Sorah Bas Zev Yehuda HaKohein,

It should also be in Zechus L’Refuah Shileimah for:

-My father Bunim Tuvia Ben Channa Freidel

-My grandmother Shulamis Bas Etta

-MY BROTHER: MENACHEM MENDEL SHLOMO BEN CHAYA ROCHEL

-Mordechai Shlomo Ben Sarah Tili

-Noam Shmuel Ben Simcha

-Yehoram Ben Batya

_R’ Simcha Yitzchak Ben Mirela Liyatka

-Chaya Rochel Ettel Bas Shulamis

-And all of the Cholei Yisrael, especially those suffering from COVID-19 and the Meiron tragedy.

-It should also be a Z’chus for an Aliyah of the holy Neshamos of HaRav HaGa’on V’Sar HaTorah Shmaryahu Yosef Chaim Ben HaRav Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky A”H, Dovid Avraham Ben Chiya Kehas—R’ Dovid Winiarz ZT”L, Miriam Liba Bas Aharon—Rebbetzin Weiss A”H, as well as the Neshamos of those whose lives were taken by terrorists (Hashem Yikom Damam), COVID-19, and the Meiron tragedy.

-It should also be a Z’chus for success for Tzaha”l as well as the rest of Am Yisrael, in Eretz Yisrael and in the Galus.

 

 

בס”ד

 

 

 

 

The rest of my audio content can be found here:

https://jewishpodcasts.fm/thedatabeis

 

Parsha Paradise/פרשה פרדס – Kedoshim: Why Must We Be Holy? 😇

 

 

Audio:

https://jewishpodcasts.fm/thedatabeis/36015

 

The Torah commands us “Kedoshim Tihiyu” [Vayikra 19:2], that we must be holy. Here’s a dumb question. Why should we be holy? That sounds like a dumb question considering that whenever the Torah issues any command, the reason for it, as far as we’re concerned is that Hashem said so. Thus, so often, the Torah will sign off a Mitzvah with the words, “Ani Hashem”-“I am Hashem,” alternatively, “Ani Hashem Elokeichem”-“I am Hashem your G-d.” I am Hashem and I said so. I am Hashem and I approve of this message.

And yet, when we look at the rest of our Pasuk, Hashem chose to disclose and provide a reason and justification for the instruction of “Kedoshim Tihiyu.” Why shall we be holy? “Ki Kadosh Ani Hashem Elokeichem”-“for holy am I Hashem your G-d.” The question is what that means? Why should we have to be holy just because Hashem is?

 

P’shat:

 

Ramban answers this question with the concept known as “Imitatio Dei,” imitation and emulation of Hashem. Explains the Ramban, because Hashem is holy, we must emulate that holiness. And through that emulation, we are able to cleave with Hashem, a Divine being with whom we could not connect to otherwise. Chazal have formulated this path toward the endeavor of “D’veikus BaHashem”-“Cleavage to Hashem” as “Halachta B’Derachav”-“And you shall walk in His ways” (Cf. Devarim 13:5, Sotah 14A; See also Tanchuma, Kedoshim 5:1).

 

Similarly but more simply, Bechor Shor explains that we are Hashem’s subjects, so if Hashem is holy, then by extension and by reason, so should we be. Now, the Midrash [Bereishis Rabbah 90:2] points out Hashem’s Kedushah is greater than that of His subjects. And yes, a king’s loyal, royal subjects don’t wear the crown per se. But all would agree that they should certainly dress elegantly.

 

Nachal Kedumim (in the name of Rabbeinu Efayim) answers our question based on another literal read of the root word “Kadosh,” that the word “Kadosh” really means designated and prepared for a specific job. Says Hashem, “Designate and ready yourselves to My charge.” Why? “Ki Kadosh Ani,” in other words, because I do the same for you when you call Me. I designate Myself to answer your Tefilos.

 

 

Remez:

 

Ba’al HaTurim and Kli Yakar provide a fascinating Remez which suggests another read. The Torah specifically commands “Kal Adas B’nei Yisrael” to be holy, literally, “every congregation of the B’nei Yisrael.” Chazal derive elsewhere that an “Eidah,” a congregation or quorum, at minimum, must include 10 adult male Jews. Thus, our M’forshim explain that every “Adas B’nei Yisrael” (i.e. every Minyan) should be holy, performing Devarim SheB’Kedushah, holy matters such as reciting Kaddish and Kedushah, “Ki Kadosh Ani,” in other words, they should thereby sanctify My Name.

 

Drash:

 

Aderes Eliyahu explains our Pasuk to imply that if you “sanctify yourselves,” then, “Ki Kadosh Ani,” I’ll consider it as though you have sanctified Me.

 

 

Sod:

 

Zohar [1:231A] explains that in reality, no Kedushah can manifest itself in the upper heavenly spheres unless there is a display of Kedushah that takes place first down here in the earthly spheres. Thus, Hashem commands “Kedoshim Tihiyu Ki Kadosh Ani…,” you must sanctify and create that manifestation of Kedushah below so that I can be sanctified above.

Perhaps similarly, Panei’ach Raza reads our Pasuk to imply that you sanctify in this world and I Hashem will sanctify you in Olam HaBa.

 

We should all be Zocheh to be holy ourselves, emulate and sanctify Hashem in this world and the Next, and the Kedushah should be so overwhelming that we are Zocheh to the Geulah Shileimah, Bimheirah Biyomeinu! Have a Great Shabbos!

-Yehoshua Shmuel Eisenberg