Parshas Acharei-Kedoshim 5767

Commentary by Rabbi Ephraim Nisenbaum

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In the times of the Temple, the Yom Kippur service was quite detailed. The high point of the day was when the Kohain Gadol (High Priest) entered the Holy of Holies, a place in the Temple where no other person was allowed to enter the rest of the year. There he would offer special offerings. Although usually the Kohain Gadol would wear eight vestments, before entering the Holy of Holies he would wear only four simple garments made of white linen. It is customary today to wear a white kittel (robe) on Yom Kippur, to recall the Kohain Gadol’s service.

Part of the service also involved taking two goats, of which one was sacrificed in the Temple, and the other sent to its death in the wilderness as a “scapegoat” to bear the sins of the nation. The Kohain Gadol would also confess on behalf of the nation. Of course repentance was also necessary for complete atonement.

Following the laws of Yom Kippur, the Torah forbids the consumption of blood. Although blood plays an important part in the sacrificial order on the Altar, it may not be eaten. The Torah explains that the essence of an animal rests in its blood. By eating blood a person ingests pure “animalism”, something that must be avoided by a person yearning to develop his unique human character. The Torah also requires the blood of a kosher bird or non-domesticated animal to be covered with dirt immediately after slaughtering the animal. This, too, is meant to emphasize the covering of the essence of an animal before it can be eaten.

In the second portion of Kedoshim, the Torah discusses many of the interpersonal related laws. Speaking slander about another person, taking revenge, and even bearing a grudge, are all prohibited. Many of the business-related laws are also discussed in this portion. The juxtaposition of these laws to the commandment of being holy suggests an important insight into holiness. One might think that the concept of holiness is more directly related to the relationship between man and G-d. The Torah teaches that this is not so. One’s social activities also affect his level of spirituality. One who is remiss in his interpersonal dealings cannot achieve holiness either. Acting fairly and honestly in business and in all one’s dealings is part of being a holy person because it reminds us that one is always before G-d, and we must behave accordingly.

“...You shall love your neighbor as yourself...” (Lev. 19:18)

A student of Rav Chatzkel Levenstein approached him with a query. He was seeing a potential marriage partner. “I’ve heard wonderful things about her,” he said, “But I’m concerned by the fact that she is somewhat self-centered.”

Rav Chatzkel replied, “That is truly wonderful!”

The young man looked confused.

“Let me explain,” the Rav said. “If the young woman has excellent character besides this trait, she will make a wonderful wife and mother. As an unmarried woman she is primarily concerned about herself, but once she marries, her 'me' will expand to include her husband, and she will be equally concerned about him. Once she has children, her concern will expand even more as they will also become part of her. What more could you look for in a woman?”

Did You Know...

It is prohibited to do something that could cause others to sin. An example of this is giving or selling a fellow Jew non-kosher food to eat. Although the Torah prohibition only applies if the person cannot easily get the food elsewhere, the Rabbis prohibited it in all instances.

The Talmud even prohibits lending another person money without witnesses, or at least a signed IOU, as the borrower might forget to pay, willfully or accidentally, and thus transgress the prohibition of stealing. Some authorities permit lending to a friend without witnesses, but preferably this should be avoided. (Incidentally, forgiving the loan may not help to remove the prohibition of causing another to sin, since at the time of the loan it was not yet forgiven.)