The Parsha this week, Kedoshim, comes to us at a critical time.
The Parsha this week, Kedoshim, comes to us at a critical time. Kedoshim Tih’yu, “…you shall be holy…” is at the heart of the Torah, the center of the scroll in actual literary placement and at the center of Jewish life in spirit and action. The first 18 verses of chapter 19 zero in on the essence of what it means to become a conscious or holy community. Many of the verses mirror the Ten Commandments. But the order and the emphasis is different.
The Parsha emphasizes both civil and environmental Mitzvot, Chukim and Mishpatim, actions and just living.
During this week of outrage over the leaking of the Court’s possible future ruling on Roe vs Wade we see in verse three the instruction “Each person shall deeply respect his/her mother and father…” Notice that “mother” is first. In the classic Ten Commandments it says “…honor your father and your mother…”. It has been suggested that this verse was the result of women calling for a rectification of a patriarchal lack of consciousness! Our sages later acknowledge the higher status of women as life givers in the image of the Divine.
If you are interested in seeing what Judaism has to say about women’s rights and reproductive choice go to https://reformjudaism.org/jewish-views-womens-rights-reproductive-choice.
This week, of the Counting of the Omer, is identified with the emanation of Tiferet. Tiferet is the Jewish chakra, if you wish, that integrates different qualities. It is at the heart of the Sefirot Tree of Life, just as Kedoshim is at the heart of the Torah.
To reach that place of Beauty and Integration/Balance, requires a lot of work and struggle. Our society, this world, is in a serious existential moment. Each of us is reminded that we are responsible for creating purpose or meaning in our lives. We feel the weight of that responsibility even greater this week. Tonight is the beginning of 19th day of the Omer. Perhaps each of us can do something to support the the struggle for women’s productive rights this week.
Tonight and tomorrow, we also commemorate Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. In this week’s heart space of Kedoshim and Tiferet, how do we integrate or find some balance to the many religious, social and human rights tensions facing the peoples living on this Sacred Land. One way is to support those organizations of Israelis and Palestinians committed to the practice and vision of justice and peace. We are called to remember and observe the teachings from Kedoshim….”to judge all people fairly, to not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor, to not bear a grudge…..and to love your neighbor as you would yourself…”
Come for Shabbes this week!
Kadimah,
Reb David