"I'm only human, I'm not perfect” is a familiar refrain heard by many, adults and children alike. We might offer these words out of embarrassment or as a way of justifying behavior. Perhaps, privately, we recognize our failure to measure up to certain standards; those of others, our own or those of some higher authority and exclaim that we are not perfect.
Of course no one is perfect. It is important to remember that Judaism does not expect us to be perfect. But, Judaism does expect, if not demand, that we seek to be holy. What is the difference between being perfect and holy? Perfection is impossible; holiness is within reach and alters our personal spiritual selves.
In this week's Torah reading, named Kedoshim (holy ones), 51 mitzvot are enumerated! No distinction is made in the Torah between mitzvot, even though some modern Jews might be tempted to artificially label some mitzvot as either ritual or ethical in nature. The only apparent difference between the mitzvot is that some are positive (shall dos) and others are negative (shall nots).
It is easy for us to say that we will follow ethical mitzvot such as ‘not over charging consumers’, ‘not placing a stumbling block before the blind’, and ‘showing respect to senior citizens’. Who among sane people would object to any of these behaviors?
But some Jews find it difficult to believe that there is a Supreme Power permeating the universe which cares about what we eat for lunch or how we spend our free time.
I openly admit that I have never heard a Divine voice audibly call out to me and stipulate rules of Kashrut and Shabbas. But just as I have heard an inaudible voice directing me to care for my children and honor my wife, I have heard a whisper carried over the millenia that compels me to transform my behavior in a unique way. No other nation on the face of our globe eats food in the same way for the same reasons; transforming eating into an act of worship, demonstrating respect for animal life and emphasizing the opportunity for spiritual purity through diet. The tastiest fare from an exceptional restaurant fails miserably.
It was our ancestors, inspired by hearing a word echoing from heaven through mountaintops to the earth below who discerned the majesty of stepping out of normal time and entering spiritual time. Ex-slaves, formerly controlled by earthly men, took hold of the profound message of mastering time to emulate God as opposed to being mastered by time and task. For the modern man who runs exhausted through the day, captive to many labor-saving devices, but constantly behind schedule- who is the master? The individual or the schedule?
The bottom line is that holiness enhances the entire self; enriching spiritual dimensions by simultaneously attaching ourselves to people in ordinary ways and to the ULTIMATE ONE which is beyond the ordinary reality of our universe. Entering any relationship requires loyalty to the other party; entering into a relationship with the creator of Time-Space requires self-discipline in terms ofShabbat, prayer and other behaviors, even as observing the mitzvah of paying bills on time also requires self-discipline.
Parshat Kedoshim spells out some of the steps by which we can become more closely attuned to strangers, relatives, friends, neighbors and even those people whom we can’t stand. And when we prioritize others by not holding a grudge or God, by curtailing some of our activities on Shabbat just to BE, we will have arrived at the starting point of this week’s Torah reading, becoming Kedoshim (holy ones).
Shabbat Shalom.
Rabbi Steve Silberman
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