Parashot Acharei – Kedoshim
By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.
SAN DIEGO — This week’s double Torah portion, Acharei and Kedoshim, springs off the scroll with applicability to the pandemic of our times, COVID, or if you prefer, kaf, bet, dalet, KOVOD. The English letters, K, V, D, form the root of the word Kavod. What’s dignity, respect or honor have to do with these parshiot? Plenty. Kavod, ,כָּבוֹד KVD, a word of strength and importance, refers to “glory,” “respect,” “majesty,” and “honor.” Other uses of kavod can refer to wealth (Gen. 31:1, the first use of kavod in the Bible), reputation (Gen. 45:13), the quantity of something, or splendor, all of which may be summed up in the word “dignity.” Another very important application is found in the fifth commandment, commanding us to “honor” (kavod in verb form) our fathers and mothers.
Rashi teaches us that bringing (kavod) to parents means that “the child gives parents to eat and to drink, provides them with clothes and shoes, leads them into the room and out if they are infirm” (Rashi on Leviticus 19:3). And we learn from Rabbi Ovadya S’forno that bringing one’s parents food, drink, and clothing, are not enough. He tells us that a child can take care of a parents’ physical needs without honoring the parents. He brings another necessary element of honoring parents, fear, or awe.
Kedoshim begins with, “And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “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.’” (Leviticus,19:1-2) This is followed by many mitzvot from observing Shabbat, respecting our parents, contributing charity, conducting ourselves honestly in business, to loving our neighbor and a stranger.
Judaism is a religion imbuing humanity with holiness, love, honesty, honor, kavod. In Vayikra Rabba 13:3, we learn the mitzvot were given to us to refine and enhance our characters, essentially to help us live optimally, living in optimal health as well – physical, mental, and spiritual. We see that holiness is not something we practice only in our synagogues, but also in our social and business relationships as well. We see that most commandments regarding holiness deal with social matters including social welfare, worker’s rights, and protecting the dignity of the weak and defenseless, as we live as a part of community that cares for each other in respectful, sanctified ways.
When you take the time to reflect on what is genuinely essential, what truly matters in our lives, when you look at the depth and meaning in our lives, this week’s readings teach us that it all points to living holy, with dignity, Kavod ha briyot, honoring other human beings.
Says a wonderful psychology teacher I was privileged to learn from, Albert Ellis, Ph.D., “Emotional health and self-actualization had better always include people being concerned about the present and future welfare of others…rational morality consists of two basic rules: (1) be kind to yourself, and (2) do not harm others…Some of the most fulfilling aspects of people’s lives are when they make concerted efforts to become involved in helping other people realize their potential.” This is Kavod ha briyot, honoring other human beings. And psychiatrist Viktor Frankl wrote in Man’s Search for Meaning, “Man’s search for meaning is the primary motivation in his life…”
We stood at Sinai and we would be wise once again reimagine standing at Sinai, becoming the change we all want to see in the world. We can transform ourselves into the holy people we know the world needs, especially in these times of amplified strife. The story is told of the woman who stood before Hashem, her heart breaking from the pain and injustice in the world. “Dear God,” she cried out, “look at all of the suffering, the anguish and the distress in your world. Why don’t you send help?” God responded, “I did. I sent you.” You, who are reading this. What are you doing to add kavod to our world?
As we care for our own health in this time of the COVID pandemic, provide kavod to our parents and find fitting ways to care for their health and wellbeing, as we demonstrate proper precautions in not spreading illness to our neighbors, we are actually adjusting our lives to the Torah’s authentic teaching in this week’s readings and imparting the world with kavod.
We learn to “love your neighbor like yourself,” VeAhavta LeReacha KaMocha, what Rabbi Akiva called the Klal Gadol Ba Torah, a great rule in the Torah. We are taught that while we are to love and protect ourselves, we are also expected to love our neighbor in all areas as well. The Rambam (Mada 6:3) teaches that we should speak in praise of our neighbors, be careful with his/her honor and their property.
The two Torah readings this week are teaching us to act with kavod to all, now and always. “Kedoshim tih’yu, ki kadosh Ani Adonai Eloheikhem, You shall be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy,” sums up our responsibility in this world – to promote health, to fill our world with what is holy and to behave in a holy manner in order to do so. Holiness, like love, is not a feeling, but a practice.
Perhaps the rousing words of French author Emmanuel Eydoux, add to our understanding of what it means to behave as a holy Jewish person, “To open eyes when others close them. To hear when others do not wish to listen. To look when others turn away. To seek to understand when others give up. To rouse oneself when others accept. To continue the struggle even when one is not the strongest. To cry out when others keep silent. To be a Jew it is that. It is, first of all, that. And further, to live when others are dead and to remember when others have forgotten.”
Shabbat Shalom
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Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D., prepares a weekly D’var Torah for Young Israel of San Diego, where he and his family are members. They are also active members of Congregation Adat Yeshurun. He may be contacted via michael.mantell@sdjewishworld.com