Acharei Mos- Kedoshim- To emulate his ways
For Year 2 of Parsha Lesson, I will be focusing on one practical middah, character trait, to think about in the week ahead and steps we can take to attain it.
Background
The second of this week’s two Parshas or Parshiyos, is Kedoshim. The word ‘kedoshim’ means ‘Holy Ones’, or people that are close to Hashem. The second passuk of Kedoshim contains the command from Hashem that us Jewish people ‘should be holy.’
Rashi says, based on a Midrash, that what the Torah means when the Torah says ‘you shall be holy’, is that the Torah is exhorting the Jewish nation to separate themselves as much as possible from immorality. Rashi, again from the Midrash, goes on to explain that wherever you find separation from immorality and immoral relationships, that is where you will find holiness.
The Mesillas Yesharim, amongst many other works, describes ‘kedusha’ or holiness, as the state of a person who is not entrapped by physicality or materialism and is therefore able to be spiritual. Spirituality is when one is close to Hashem. What it means to be close to Hashem does not mean in terms of physical proximity but rather in concept- one who has become more akin to Hashem.
Ultimately this is the job of Man- to become as much like Hashem as possible, to emulate the character traits of Hashem as much as possible. The more that a person grows and develops towards becoming like Hashem the greater that person is, and vice versa.
Question
Being that ‘holiness’ refers to a broad concept of emulating Hashem, in a way which encompasses all of the various aspects of one’s life, why is the Midrash explaining that the Torah here refers to separating from immorality!? Immorality is certainly AN aspect of not emulating Hashem and therefore not being ‘holy’ but there are many other things that are important if one is to emulate Hashem- for example kindness to others or chessed, justice, honesty and on and on.
What is so special about immorality that when the Torah says to be ‘holy’, which means to come close to Hashem, and emulate Hashem, that the Midrash is saying that this is telling us to separate and distance ourselves from immorality specifically?
Answer
The Midrash is teaching us a profound lesson as to how people work, a ‘life-hack’ of sorts. Do you want to know how to win the game of life? Do you want to know how to become close to Hashem by emulating Hashem? Separate yourself and distance yourself from immorality and you will come close to Hashem and emulate Hashem.
Immorality is the key to all other character refinement: becoming more immoral will mean a more repugnant character, while becoming more moral will mean a more refined and beautiful character. Immorality is both the apex of the physical world, materialistic world’s attachment and hold on a person, as well as the most destructive force to a person’s mission of coming close to Hashem.
Lesson
One lesson that we learn from here is that physical attachments, materialism are contradictions to spirituality and character refinement. The number one physical attachment and materialistic pursuit that contradicts spirituality is immorality and immoral relationships. Proper relationships are not a contradiction to spirituality, and are in fact an aid to a person coming closer to Hashem, but improper relationships and immoral behaviors will distance a person from Hashem.
An additional lesson that we learn from here is that a person, unencumbered by interference in becoming more spiritual and in emulating the character of Hashem himself, will naturally become more spiritual and of more refined character.
First Step
The first step in improving ourselves with regards to immorality and immoral relationships is to take stock of which areas we can improve in. Even if a person is not engaged in any immorality at all, a person can take steps to further distance themselves from immorality. For example- lewd jokes, references, gestures, etc. which can make one’s self and others think about immorality and/ or make light of immorality, are all things that someone can potentially improve in.
The goal is that eventually a person will be as separated from immoral behaviors, and immorality in general, as much as possible, and then be able to have refined character. The key is to take the first step- think about what you are doing. Take stock of where you are and in what areas one can make an improvement, however small it may be.
‘A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,’ the key is to get moving.
Have a wonderful Shabbos!
Rabbi Eli Meir Kramer
