LEAD TIDBIT
Back on Track - Big Time
Way back in Parshat Yitro, G-d told us, through Moshe Rabeinu, that if we listen to Him and keep the covenant with Him, then we will become a Holy Nation. This is followed by Matan Torah at Har Sinai, and our hearing the chapter-headings of the mitzvot contained in the Torah. The Torah then expands on the Aseret HaDibrot by setting down the many detailed mitzvot of Mishpatim and the command to build a Mikdash in T’ruma and following sedras. Before these mitzvot had time to be taught and implemented, the Eigel HaZahav (Golden Calf) happened, and the people of Israel got side-tracked, to put it mildly. Main (almost exclusive) focus of the Torah from mid-Ki Tisa through M’tzora is Mikdash, Korbanot, and Tum’a & Tahara (very connected to Mikdash).

The first part of this week’s double sedra focuses upon the Avoda (service) of the most special of days in the Mikdash - Yom Kippur.
And finally, we are ready to go back on track, back to the original “plan”, so to speak, but with an important difference. We were originally told that if we keep G-d’s commands we will become a holy nation. Who are “we”? The Jewish People. Collectively. But now, at the beginning of Parshat K’doshim, we are commanded to “Be Holy”. Who is the “we” this time? Each and every individual Jew. No hiding within the multitude this time. G-d is speaking to each of us. One-on-one.

And this command is followed (and preceded) by many, many mitzvot that once again detail the chapter-headings that are the Ten Commandments. If in the Big Ten it suffices with two words - LO TIGNOV (Thou shalt not steal - 4 words in English), it is in K’doshim that we find not to steal, not to deal falsely with one another, not to lie, not to rob, not to defraud, not even to delay the paying of wages. So too do we find in K’doshim and the second half of Acharei, expansions and interactions of and among all of the Aseret HaDibrot, and more.
K’doshim is as expansive as Yitro is cryptic, but the message from G-d is the same. He wants us to be holy and He wants us to achieve that holiness by the observance of mitzvot of all types: Those between G-d and the Jew, interpersonal mitzvot (which are also between G-d and the Jew), and between the Jew and himself.

G-d’s opening statement at Sinai of ANOCHI HASHEM... is echoed repeatedly throughout the Torah, but no where as often and obvious as in Parshiyot Acharei and K’doshim. The phrase ANI HASHEM, by itself or as ANI HASHEM ELOKEICHEM occurs 26 times in this double sedra. 26 just happens to be the numeric value of G-d’s name. Coincidence? (Is there such a thing as coincidence?) BTW, among the 26 occurrences of ANI HASHEM, half of them are followed by the word ELOKEICHEM. That makes 13, with is the g’matriya of ECHAD.

One last word. The challenge/command to be holy cannot be accomplished by only “going through the motions” of mitzva observance. One’s attitude, enthusiasm, commitment, and passion for G-d, Torah and Mitzvot play a major role in our quest for K’dusha.

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