“...you shall be holy, for holy am I, Hashem, your G-d.” (Vayikra 19:2)
The Ramban on this verse is quite famous. Whereas Rashi says that by distancing ourselves from things of a lascivious nature we become holier, the Ramban suggests that Hashem wants us to sanctify ourselves by desisting even from things that are permitted.
While one may be allowed to drink wine, for example, he should not allow himself to become indulgent to the point that he is fulfilling his desire for the animalistic pleasure it can impart. The same would be with food. Though it may be delicious, we should not let the desire and pleasure overtake our refined nature. By remaining cognizant of Man’s lofty status, we can partake of things which are permitted in a proper way, and not wallowing in physicality.
There is more to the Ramban, however. He quotes the Midrash which says, in explaining the posuk of Kedoshim Tihiyu: “Just as I, Hashem, am holy, so shall you (the Jewish People) be holy. Just as I am abstinent, so shall you be abstinent.” Hashem calls Himself a “porush,” one who is separated and restrains himself from certain things, and adjures us to emulate this behavior.
How can Hashem ask us to be a “porush” like He is, when there are such monumental differences between us? How are we to understand that Hashem is abstinent when He has no physical desires? How are we, who do have these desires, supposed to hold back from them and thereby be like Hashem?
HaKadosh Baruch Hu lacks nothing. He can have whatever He wants, and indeed, created the world and everything in it. Where, then, do we find that He is a “porush”? The Gemara in Berachos (33b) says that Hashem only asks us to fear Heaven, and that all Hashem has in His treasury is a repository of yiras shomayim.
While Hashem could “desire” whatever He wished, and could fulfill that desire, He chooses to limit what He wishes to something that will build a connection between Him and Man. This is the type of asceticism we are urged to pursue.
It's not that we are supposed to deny ourselves the things we want. Rather, we should train ourselves not to want anything other than a relationship with Hashem. There are many things we could and may enjoy, but there’s a big difference between enjoying things and lusting after them. This is the difference we can make by becoming kedoshim like Hashem.
Chovos HaLevavos relates the story of a fellow who traveled to a distant land filled with savages who worshiped all sorts of deities. He laughingly derided them and said they were wasting their time. One of the savages approached him and said, “Whom then do YOU worship?” The man replied, “I worship the One who Created Heaven and Earth and can do all. I worship He who sustains all life and provides for all beings.”
“Your deeds contradict your words,” said the idol-worshiper. “If your G-d is truly all-powerful and provides for all creatures, could He not have provided for you back at home? Why then did you have to exert yourself to travel so far away in search of your livelihood?”
The fellow was shaken; jarred by the truth of the pagan’s words. He immediately returned home and became a ‘porush,’ (separate, usually related to asceticism) never again chasing after his livelihood.
It is noteworthy that it does not say the man became a ‘porush’ and thereafter lived in a cave without thought to material well-being. Instead, the man continued to live a normal life, enjoying and participating in business. The only difference was that he was no longer chasing after the money, for he knew Hashem would provide for him wherever he was.
©2024 – J. Gewirtz
