This coming, auspicious Shabbas Kodesh, we will read the parshiyos of Acharei Mos and Kedoshim. It is the Shabbas preceding Lag BaOmer, the day on which we celebrate the passing of the divine Tanna, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. As such, it is fitting that we examine a pertinent passage in the Zohar hakadosh (Kedoshim 81a) related to parshas Kedoshim and the holy entourage who learned the mystical, hidden parts of the Torah from Rashbi: Rabbi Abba taught: This parsha (Kedoshim) encompasses the general principles of the entire Torah and the seal of truth—“emet.” Exalted secrets are revealed in this parsha related to the ten utterances, decrees and punishments, and heavenly mitzvos. When the colleagues reached this parsha, they were elated.
Now, the parsha begins as follows (Vayikra 19, 1): "וידבר ה' אל משה לאמר, דבר אל כל עדת בני ישראל ואמרת אליהם קדושים תהיו כי קדוש אני ה' אלקיכם, איש אמו ואביו תיראו ואת שבתותי תשמורו אני ה' אלקיכם". Hashem spoke to Moshe, saying: Speak to the entire assembly of Bnei Yisrael and say to them: You shall be kadosh, because I, Hashem, your G-d, am kadosh. Every man shall revere his mother and his father, and you shall observe My Shabbasos; I am Hashem, your G-d. Three mitzvos are juxtaposed in these opening pesukim: “You shall be kadosh,” “every man shall revere his mother and his father,” and “you shall observe My Shabbasos.” The first mitzvah is: “You shall be holy.” The second is: “Every man shall revere his mother and his father.” The third is: “and you shall observe My Shabbasos.” Apparently, these three mitzvos are intimately related. In this essay, we will endeavor to explain this relationship.
