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D'var: Parashat Aharei Mot-Kedoshim 5783 Commentary by Dawn Elmore Friday, April 28, 2023 |
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Acharei Mot Leviticus 16:1 — 18:30
Kedoshim Leviticus 19:1 — 20:27 |
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This week, we are blessed with a double portion of Torah, and in this case, the two portions are closely related in theme. Both portions deal with rules, but more importantly, they have their base in the importance of relationships. We often have to look beyond the complicated nature of the rules to get deeper meaning from the words of Torah, particularly in the books that seem to be solely about specifications and prohibitions. In this case, doing so provides us with a more rewarding experience that tells us more about the nature of both God and humanity.
The first portion, Achrei Mot, pulls us back to the death of Aaron’s sons for coming too close to the most intimate presence of God. The text also discusses the need to follow specific rules in preparation for Yom Kippur, another time during which the Israelites draw closer to God. The portion concludes with several sexual prohibitions, many of which have multiple interpretations due to challenges with understanding the history and cultural context of the time and issues of mistranslation as the text moved from one language to another and was filtered through different rabbis, movements, and even other religions’ biases. The second portion, Kedoshim, lives up to its Hebrew name by continuing instruction in the rites of holiness. This text discusses both ethical and ritual ways to achieve holiness. It is notable in part because it repeats some of the Ten Commandments. It is also notable because it introduces laws about farming and presents them in the context of one of the most famous pieces of philosophy known throughout major religions, the Golden Rule. The connection here is in relationships. Our relationship with God, just like our relationships with our fellow human beings, can ebb and flow based on time, place, and circumstances. The death of Aaron’s sons seems bizarre and cruel to us, beyond our understanding, but one thing is clear. It resulted from getting too close to God without creating the proper mood or context for that level of intimacy or holiness. While God’s punishment is extreme, what it represents is the rejection of a relationship that was forced without taking the time to build true intimacy. Forcing a close relationship without taking into account what the other party needs never has a good outcome. This theme continues throughout the rest of this week’s readings. The rules for Yom Kippur are God’s rules of engagement for intimacy during the most holy time of the year. We want to be close to God, to have a pure relationship with the Most High during the Days of Awe. We yearn for a special kind of intimacy that has to be built. It must be earned. It cannot happen without guidance from God. Kedoshim goes beyond the special circumstances of a holiday and into the deeper foundation of how we treat each other. We must meet people’s basic needs to acknowledge our mutual humanity: Make things as easy as you can for those who need extra help. Be fair. Ensure everyone has enough to eat. Don’t take people’s economic or class status into account when making judgments. Focus on the living, not the dead. Care for the elderly. Be kind to people you don’t know. Avoid sexual relationships that will hurt others. If we can master these fundamentals, then we have what it takes not only to demonstrate what it means to be the best of humanity but also to take that humanity beyond the basics and into deeper relationships. One more important point stands out here. Most people, if asked to explain the Golden Rule, they would say, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” The interpretation of the verse I’ve chosen to use today, however, has a different angle. “Love your neighbor’s welfare as if it were your own.” This phrasing doesn’t ask us to treat others as we would like to be treated. While that may be a noble sentiment, it’s not always the best way to approach others. Again, it comes back to those ideas of humanity and intimacy. What I think is best for my welfare may not be at all what you want for yourself or even what’s ultimately best for you. We should want the best for others even if that means embracing something we don’t understand or wouldn’t consider for ourselves. If we can meet that basic standard, then we become capable of moving beyond that into the relationships God knows we can achieve through really getting to know each other, growing together emotionally, and reaching the most holy state of true intimacy. Dawn Elmore |
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