Parshas Acharei Mos-Kedoshim 5786
- Torah Tavlin
- Apr 24
- 2 min read
קדשים תהיו כי קדוש אני ה' אלקיכם ... (יט-ב) - ופרש"י הוו פרושים מן העריות ומן העברה ע"כ
What is the Torah commanding us with this directive of "קדושים תהיו"? (See Rashi and Ramban)
The Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh zt”l says as follows: The end of Parshas Acharei-Mos was discussing the topic of עריות, steering clear of forbidden relationships, one of the three cardinal sins. In Parshas Kedoshim, the Torah gives us a positive commandment. One who not only refrains from these forbidden relationships, but takes steps proactively to keep the עריות at a distance, is מקיים an עשה as well. Additionally, such a person earns the lofty title of “Kadosh”; he is deemed “holy” for he fastidiously following in the ways of Hashem, as it says, "כי קדוש אני".
The Ohr HaChaim adds that this mitzvah isn’t only for the thirty-six hidden tzaddikim of the generation, but rather, as the posuk says, "דבר אל כל עדת בני ישראל" - in fact, it applies to the general populace.
Klal Yisroel in Mitzrayim was precariously teetering at the 49th level of impurity. They counted forty-nine days, and on the fiftieth day, they were able to receive the Torah, as they now reached the 49th level of kedusha. The calculation, though, is seemingly imprecise, as they should only be on the first level of kedusha after 50 days, rather than the 49th level. It should’ve taken forty-nine days to exit the forty-nine levels of tumah and then on day 50, the kedusha climb commences!
Perhaps the answer could be that the effort expended to leave one level of impurity, simultaneously raises one’s Tahara one level, so that by the time one exits the realm of impurities, he is inevitably at level 49 of kedusha!
It is not by chance that these two parshiyos are connected. The סור מרע of Acharei Mos brings us, as just explained, to the עשה טוב of Kedoshim. יה"ר that each yid, young or old, be able to utilize these special days of Sefirah to strengthen their personal levels of Kedusha thus elevating the world to prepare for the day of קבלת התורה!