The Tiferes Shlomo of Radomsk zy”a once traveled to spend time in the healing spas to drink from the waters which were known to be therapeutic. On Shabbos, a number of Maskilim who were also spending time there came to the Rebbe’s seudah and asked him to tell them some nice divrei Torah.
The Rebbe recognized that their intentions were bad. They wanted to mock him and the Torah. Therefore, he began to deliver an incisive drasha that he knew would enter their hearts and silence their mockery.
He began by noting that the Parshah uses the words “ani Hashem Elokeichem” three times. It says: “You shall be holy... I am Hashem, your G-d”, “A man shall fear his mother and father... I am Hashem, your G-d”, and “Do not turn to the sorcerers... I am Hashem, your G-d.” He asked: Why are these words reiterated three times? Why aren’t they just said once after all three mitzvos are listed?
He answered that the Torah is directing these words towards three distinct types of Jews: tzadikim, beinonim (mid-level people), and reshaim. Furthermore, the word “tzibur” is an acronym for “tzadikim, beinonim, reshaim.” This teaches us that one who gives a drasha to a tzibur has to address all three types of people.
The pesukim are addressing these three types of people. It first speaks about tzadikim who work on making themselves holy and even are “mekadesh atzmo b’mutar lach” – they sanctify themselves by refraining even from permitted things. Hashem tells them to “be holy because I, Hashem your G-d, am holy.” It then speaks to beinonim and tells them to at least honor their parents and keep Shabbos and to remember that “I am Hashem, your G-d.” Finally, it speaks to reshaim who don’t even keep those mitzvos and says to at least not turn to sorcerers. At the very least, it tells them, don’t “shmad yourself” and remember that “I am Hashem, your G-d.”
