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Chomer Lidrush
Ideas to turn your gears heading into the parsha
1) Be Holy
Parshas Kedoshim invites us to consider what it truly means to become holy. Rabbi Zvi Dov Kanotopsky's analysis reveals that beyond rules and restrictions lies a transformative opportunity – we ourselves become the "cheftza shel mitzvah," the sacred object of the commandment.
While specific mitzvos require physical items like tefillin or lulav, the call of "kedoshim tihyu" demands something far more personal – that we transform who we are. As Ramban beautifully teaches, one may follow every letter of the law yet remain "naval birshus haTorah" – technically observant, but spiritually impoverished. The command to be holy skirts this spiritual loophole by directing us toward inner transformation.
In three essential domains – our physical desires, relationship with Hashem through Shabbos, and interactions with others – we are called not just to avoid transgression, but to become living embodiments of kedushah. When we internalize this perspective, even permitted indulgences become opportunities for spiritual elevation.
This week, consider: How might your observance shift from merely avoiding transgression to actively becoming a keli of kedushah? The path to holiness lies not in restriction alone, but in allowing ourselves to become the very instruments through which Ratzon Hashem is manifested in this world.
2) Transfers of Guilt: Understanding Yom Kippur
In Rabbi Yitzchak Twersky’s deep exploration of the parshah, he offers an analysis of the se'irim of Yom Kippur and its deep symbolic connections to pivotal moments in Jewish history. (May be relevant for your Yom Kippur chomer…)
His piece reveals how the ritual echoes the story of Yaakov and Esav — twins who struggled for birthright and blessing — and examines three significant instances where the concept of "transfer of guilt" appears in the Torah:
- The two se'irim of Yom Kippur, where one goat symbolically carries away the sins of the people.
- Rivkah's promise to Yaakov that she would accept any curse in his place when he disguised himself with gediyei izzim to secure the Brachos.
- Moshe offering himself as atonement after the Egel, saying to Hashem, "If You will forgive their sin... but if not, erase me from Your book".
R. Twersky masterfully connects these parallel narratives to illuminate the essence of Yom Kippur as an affirmation of the unique bris between Hashem and Klal Yisrael, despite the threat of rejection.
3) Story: The Essence of Kiddush Hashem
A powerful story of Kiddush Hashem from Rabbi Paysach Krohn (may he have a continued refuah sheleimah).
In the chaos of September 11, 2001, Avreimel Zelmanowitz, a computer programmer working on the 27th floor of the North Tower, made a decision that would define the highest ideals of kiddush Hashem. When everyone else fled, Avreimel chose to remain behind with his colleague Ed Beyea, who was wheelchair bound and unable to escape. Avreimel refused to leave his helpless friend despite the imminent danger.
Three days before the tragedy, during a Shabbos chaburah focused on the Baal HaTanya's teachings, Avreimel had unexpectedly spoken up about self-sacrifice, challenging the notion that only great tzaddikim could truly perform kiddush Hashem. Less than 72 hours later, he would demonstrate this principle through his own heroic actions.
President George W. Bush later recognized Avreimel's sacrifice in a national address, noting that "inside the World Trade Center, one man who could have saved himself stayed until the end at the side of his quadriplegic friend."
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