Although next week temperatures are expected to drop back to the 50’s, this week we experienced temperatures around 90 degrees. As Jews, we are always striving for more and better, constantly working on ourselves and our relationship with Hashem. While the rest of the world prepares for the beautiful weather with shopping sprees for attire that accompanies sun, sand, and waves, our focus, which is seeking the sacred and holy, entails a “shopping spree” not of clothing and credit cards, but of Torah study, tefillah, mussar shmuessen and kappitlach Tehillim, fortifying and protecting us from the norms of the world around us.
יולד לעמל אדם – Man is born to labor. He is put into this world to work, toil, sweat, and shed tears. So, as we embark on the journey of Sefirah, weeks in which we are meant to purify our hearts and souls, work on our connection to Hashem and His Torah to become vessels worthy of the greatest gift possible, with this tremendous kedushah hovering over us there also comes a set of challenges, a “toil” element.
For the rest of the world, the beautiful weather setting in is exciting, a time to be out and enjoy the sunshine. But for anyone who understands the significance or merely heard the terms kedushah, ameilus, and shemiras einayim knows that bnei Torah, those with aspirations, are doing quite the opposite. They strategize where and when not to be, finding refuge in air-conditioned offices and batei midrashim, staying away from “normal” social settings. While for Western society, this behavior may be unprecedented, as the chosen nation, the am segulah, we realize and take pride in the fact that we are different. We are not defined by societal norms but by the standards set forth in the Torah. So, while before kabbalas haTorah the northern hemisphere heats up and everyone is eager to go out, because we are different and proud, we may be thinking and hopefully acting differently than those norms. And as the chosen, elevated nation, we must embrace and be proud of our uniqueness.
This is the message of “קדשים תהיו” as the pasuk says: (Vayikra 19:2)
“דבר אל כל עדת בני ישראל ואמרת אלהם קדשים תהיו כי קדוש אני ה אלקיכם.”
Speak to the Jews and say to them: You shall be holy, for I, your God, am holy.
Rashi explains:
“קדשים תהיו. הוו פרושים מן העריות ומן העבירה.”
Be holy. Separate yourselves from immorality and from sin.
Here the Torah mandates us to live higher, to live above the norms, to pursue holiness and purity.
Rav Moshe Feinstein’s Insight
Rav Moshe Feinstein, in Kol Rom, reveals profound beauty in this message. He questions the seemingly out-of-place concluding words of the pasuk: “קדוש כי אלקיכם ה׳ אני – For I am Hashem your God.” From this pasuk, it appears that the reason we should aspire for holiness is because Hashem is our King. However, this mitzvah of being holy seems to stand alone logically and ethically. Unlike a “chok” (a decree without apparent reason) such as shaatnez, which we follow solely because it is the word of Hashem, the commandment of being holy is rational and ethical. So why does it need the reinforcement of “because I am Hashem”?
Rav Moshe provides an incredible answer. He explains that Hashem understands the difficulty of being holy, the struggle against the grain, the fight against the norm, and the overcoming of temptations. Hashem empathizes with our perpetual struggle and knows the tall order that the seemingly simple words of “תהיו קדשים” truly entail. Therefore, Hashem tells us, “ה׳ אני כי אלקיכם – For I am Hashem your God.” He says, “My children, I understand how hard it is, but be like Me. I, too, go against My will. I, too, do things that are uncomfortable. I am inherently a merciful King, a bestower of good, even when My anger is flared. I am abundant in kindness and compassion. I want the best for you, My children, yet sometimes, as hard as it is, I must administer punishment and execute justice.”
In this pasuk, Hashem is telling us that He understands the battle and the effort required to go against our will and desires. He assures us that we are in this together, and He wants us to work, grow, and shine because He desires our truest, purest form. He has our best interests in mind and loves us more than anything.
The Journey of Growth
As we ascend towards kabbalas haTorah, we’re reminded that we’re different, and we’re commanded to act accordingly. Rav Moshe points out that Hashem is keenly aware of the magnitude of this struggle. Therefore, He commands us from a place of empathy and understanding. Even amidst great victories, “שבע וקם צדיק יפול – a righteous will fall seven times.” Not that these falls are acceptable, but rather they’re conditions for growth. After all, “lechteich” – it’s about the journey.
Rav Moshe Weinberger’s Story
Rav Moshe Weinberger highlights this point with a story of a young man struggling with inyanei kedushah. At the suggestion of a friend, he agreed to visit a tzaddik. Upon meeting the Rebbe, the boy expressed his concern, stating, “It’s not good to look at a wicked person, so don’t look at me because I’m wicked.” The Rebbe, visibly moved by the boy’s pain, responded gently, “Tell me, I see the Divine presence upon your face. When did you stumble?”
The boy answered, “Ten years ago, right after my bar mitzvah.” The Rebbe inquired further, asking, “Are you still fighting? Are there times when you overcome?” The boy admitted, “Yes, there are times, but they are few and far between. Most of the time, I lose the battle and succumb to temptation.”
The Rebbe nodded knowingly and remarked, “Now I understand why I see the Divine presence upon you. For ten years, you have been engaged in a relentless battle for the sake of the King.”
After their meeting, the Rebbe began calling the boy every night to receive blessings from him. He recognized that while success is important, the Divine presence resides with those who are deeply invested in and actively fighting the spiritual battle.
Conclusion
As we prepare to accept the Torah and aspire to live up to the commandment of “kedoshim tihiyu,” to be holy and rise above, Hashem understands the difficulty. No matter what battles we face, they’re all tough. But as we know, greatness lies in resilience, and with perseverance, we will overcome and rejoice. As long as we’re on the journey of challenging the norm, of living exalted lives, keep your chin up and your shoulders squared, because the King is shepping nachas.
