“Parsha Ignition”
Parshas Kedoshim 5782
לרפואה שלימה אסתר תהלה בת אריל ציפורה
From 3 ideas in 30 minutes from
Rabbi Phillip Moskowitz
(April 23, 2021, posted on YUTorah)
Written by Rabbi Dani Staum
The Torah states that Hashem told Moshe “Speak to the assembly of Yisroel and say to them: Kedoshim tihyu – You shall be holy.” Rashi relates that this command was told to the nation at a time when they were all assembled.
Clearly the Torah wanted to emphasize that the command about being holy is when surrounded by others. The command was said to the entire assembly during a time of assembly.
The Ohaiv Yisrael explains that there are righteous individuals among Klal Yisroel who are clearly holy and live elevated lives. There are many other Jews however, that struggle constantly and have a harder time attaining holiness. How can the spiritual strugglers attain holiness? How can they ignite their souls?
He explains that our collective desire is for growth. In addition, spirituality is contagious. Even if one is having a hard time being and feeling holy, when he includes himself as part of the Jewish people the collective holiness will rub off on him.
Therefore, the Torah says that the mitzvah of being holy must be said to the entire assembly of B’nei Yisroel at a time when they were all together. I may struggle in one area, and you may struggle in another area. But together we can encourage each other. My task is not only to light my own fire but of others as well. In those areas where my soul is aflame, I can help others become fired up. In those areas where I struggle, I can be inspired and ignited by others.
The Ohaiv Yisroel adds that the pasuk says “נר ה׳ נשמת אדם – The soul of man is the candle of Hashem.” Why is the soul compared to a flame?
Sometimes one tries to light a candle but, try as he might, he can’t seem to strike the match. This may happen on Motzei shabbos when we try to light the havdala candle which was doused in grape juice the week prior. So, he holds a lit flame next to the non-igniting flame. Eventually, the flame catches and shoots upwards.
In the same vein, when a Jew is having a hard time lighting his fire, he combines with the rest of the Jewish people, and become inspired together.
We unite as a community and together we achieve kedusha.
After the isolation during Covid this idea particularly resonates. During those times when a person feels that his davening or learning lack emotion, he can be inspired by others. The mitzvah of kedoshim tihyu entails that we inspire each other and help each other ignite our fires.