What's the Spiel? - Parshat Achrei Mot-Kedoshim

What's the Spiel?

12 Iyyar 5785 - May 10, 2025

Parshat Achrei Mot-Kedoshim

Rabbi's Reflections

-Holiness is For All-

Parshat Kedoshim opens with the words, “The Lord spoke to Moshe, saying, ‘Speak to the entire assembly of the Children of Israel…” (Vayikra 19:1). At first glance, this statement does not appear to be all that unique. After all, many sections of the Torah begin in a somewhat similar manner. However, Rashi and the Midrash tell us why the opening statement of our parsha is so distinctive and significant. According to Rashi, “ ‘Speak to the entire assembly of the Children of Israel’ teaches us that this portion [of the Torah] was said at a gathering of the entire assembly [of Israel], because the majority of the essentials of the Torah depend upon it” (Rashi on Vayikra 19:1, also see Vayikra Rabbah 24:5). While it is true that Moshe also taught the other portions of the Torah before the entire nation, as Rashi comments on Shemot 34:32, “After [Moshe] had taught the elders, he would repeat and teach the section or the law [again] to [the entire people of Israel],” the Gur Aryeh on Vayikra 19:2 notes that individuals always had the choice to absent themselves if they were unable to attend. However, that is not the case with our parsha. Rather, all Israel had to attend the teaching of this portion because, “the majority of the essentials of the Torah depend on it.”

While many commentaries from the Midrash to the Sforno and beyond understand the “Torah essentials” found within our parsha to be allusions to the Ten Commandments, the Midrash Aggadah teaches us something different – linking the “Torah essentials” of our parsha to the rest of its opening statement, “You shall be holy, for holy am I, the Lord your God” (Vayikra 19:1). Why is kedusha, holiness, considered a “Torah essential,” and why must the entire Jewish people be present to hear this? According to the Midrash, “This is to teach you that holiness falls upon children and adults, on women and men. Just as men must purify themselves from all sin, so too must women purify themselves from all impurity and sin.” What is more, the entire nation had to be present for this teaching in order to communicate the important notion that, “Holiness was not given to the Kohanim (Priests) alone! Rather, [holiness was given] to [everyone], Kohanim, Levi’im and Yisraelim together!” (Seder Eliyahu Rabbah 15). Thus, we see that the entire people, men, women, children, Kohanim, Levi’im and Yisraelim had to hear our parsha so that they could fully understand that kedusha is not a gift, a right or a choice. Kedusha, holiness, is an obligation incumbent on all because everyone is capable of attaining it.

Kedusha, holiness, being holy, living holy lives, then, is the most essential part of the Torah. Without imbuing the mitzvot we perform, the deeds we do and the words we say with intention and an inner-sense of sanctity, we will not be able to fully embrace our role in this world: To be a “Kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Shemot 19:6). Instead, “the divine Torah should become the very essence of [our being], so that [we] can no longer be conceived as a [person] without Torah, as little as [we] can be conceived as a [person] without having life” (Tefillah LeMoshe, 11a).

This Shabbat, let us consider our potential to be holy. One need not be a Kohen, a Levite, or even a rabbi in order to be holy. Rather, every single Jew is capable of being holy because we were all created in the Divine Image. Just as Moshe made sure every Jew heard and understood this idea, sometimes we all need to remind ourselves of these essential words as well. May we never fail to recognize the holiness of our beings and our great spiritual capacities to make others holy as well. May we always seek holy challenges and embrace holy callings. May we always rise in holiness and remember, “Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy!” (R’ Abraham Joshua Heschel).

Shabbat Shalom!

-Rabbi Dan

Schedule of Services at B'nai Abraham

CTI Schedule 5785/2025

Friday, May 9

7:30PM - Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat

7:56PM - Candle Lighting

Saturday, May 10

9:00AM - Shacharit

10:30AM - Youth Programs

7:50PM - Mincha

8:54PM - Maariv/Havdalah

Sunday, May 11

8:30AM - Shacharit

Monday, May 12 - Friday, May 16

7:05AM - Shacharit

CTI Announcements

CTI Yizkor Book

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Please take this opportunity to inscribe those who you would like to remember in our Yizkor booklet.

See page and form HERE!

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Thank you Pierre & Morgan Rochard for sponsoring Kiddush in honor of their daughter, Chava's 2nd birthday.

Kiddush sponsorship is a great way to honor a loved one's memory or celebrate a special occasion while also giving a little back to the community.

If you have a special day you would like to commemorate with a kiddush, now is a great time to reserve your sponsorship for the Shabbos of your choice. If your date is not visible yet on the kiddush calendar, you can still email Beth and ask about reserving that date. Thank you so much for your support of CTI’s kiddush program.

Thank you to Sarah Swernofsky, Michele Reitberger, Davida Rosenthal and Vicky Gould for preparing this week’s Kiddush!

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Mazel Tov!

David Feder, Birthday on May 10
Adeena Reitberger, Birthday on May 10
Dan Millner & Yael Millner, Anniversary on May 12
Caleb Wander, Birthday on May 12
Nathan Ross, Birthday on May 13
Karin Gerstenhaber, Birthday on May 14
Doreen Joffe, Birthday on May 14
Erik Rahimi, Birthday on May 15
Beth Steinberg, Birthday on May 15

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