Rashi notes that G-d instructed Moshe to teach this passage to “the entire congregation of Bnei Yisrael,” i.e., at an assembly of all the men, women and children. The need for publicity was, in Rashi’s words, “because most of the fundamental teachings of the Torah are dependent on it.” Although it is not the only portion containing many mitzvos, Parshas Kedoshim is unique because most of the Torah’s teachings are “dependent on it”: they hinge on the principle of holiness taught in its opening words, “You shall be holy, for I, Hashem your G-d, am holy.”
Kedoshim
Rashi’s words also teach us the most effective method of motivating others and ourselves toward the service of G-d. Historically, one school of thought has been to focus on “shunning evil,” through heightened awareness of Judaism’s belief in Divine retribution. A different approach has been to highlight the value of Torah study and the beauty of its observance, and emphasize the Jew’s distinction and good fortune in having been granted the opportunity to live a Torah life. Aversion to evil will follow automatically (for the most part, if not entirely).
The superiority of the second approach is evident from Rashi’s words above. How did Moshe introduce “the fundamental teachings of the Torah” to the assembly of the entire Jewish people? By reiterating that through the observance of the Torah, “you shall be holy, because I, Hashem your G-d, am holy.” Moshe conveyed to each of the men, women and children assembled that as a Jew, he or she has the potential to reach a level of holiness and sanctity comparable to the sanctity of G-d Himself! And as history has shown, communicating this positive message is what “most of the fundamental teachings of the Torah are dependent upon.”
—Sefer Hasichos 5748, vol. 2, pp. 433–434
