Acharei Mot Kedoshim (2025)

Shabbat Parshat Acharei Mot Kedoshim

Dvar Torah
In this week’s double-header Parsha, the Torah commands us to be “Kedoshim” (lit. holy). Nachmanides explains this means that while the Torah explicitly forbids us from specific acts (e.g. adultery), there are some places where we are expected to draw the line ourselves – for example foul speech or glutenous consumption. I think there are two powerful messages inlaid within Nachmanides’ commentary. Firstly, G-d trusts us. He believes that we have the intellect, moral sense, and if necessary, the courage to do what’s right without being told precisely what it is or how to do it. Secondly, drawing boundaries is a positive “do” commandment. When contrasted with negative “don’t-do” commandments (e.g. don’t gossip, don’t eat on Yom Kippur), here we are actively choosing to be something. Being "Kedoshim" means that living our lives in the ways of the Torah is not just a reactive exercise in restraint, but an active statement in adopting a higher values system.

Trivia
This week’s parsha also contains the Torah reading for Yom Kippur morning (Lev. 16:1-34) and afternoon (Lev. 18:1-18)

Shabbat Times
Yerushalayim 18:49/20:06
Be’eri 18:58/20:08
Dubai 18:35/19:31
Rome 19:59/21:06
Amsterdam 21:02/22:26
Boston 19:34/20:42
NYC 19:42/20:48

Shabbat Shalom!

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