The power of love and human interaction is overwhelmingly inspirational in our worldly existence. It takes warm hearts to move us to greater heights of humanity.
I recall the story of the day a locomotive first came to a small Jewish town in Europe, and the Hasidim decided to show their Rebbe this miracle of modern civilization. As the Rebbe neared the station, he saw a long line of black cold, motionless cars, attached to each other. The engine in front was belching fire, sending smoke into the clouds. Suddenly, with an ear shattering roar, the engine started moving and the long line of cars moved with it.
"Rebbe,Rebbe, what do you say to this remarkable sight?" The Rebbe pondered the phenomenon and then remarked in Yiddish "Zeht vie ein haysa ken mit shleypen azoy fil kalteh", look how one hot, fiery object can pull along so many cold ones.
This is the fact of life when it comes to Yahadut. We have the power, when we unite as one people to accomplish much, especially with our love for each other, and in doing so, to encourage and to embrace others as we travel the road of Yiddishkeit and Torah together.
This I sense is the main theme of this week's second Parsha, Kedoshim.
To get the true message of achieving the ultimate Kedusha we need to hear well the opening words of the Sedrah. וידבר הי אל משה לאמר דבר אל כל עדת בני ישראל. Hashem spoke to Moshe saying, "Speak to the entire assembly of the Children of Israel."
The crucial words in this dialogue is עדת בני ישראל, the entire assembly. Herein we see that the true principle of Kedusha concerns all parts of the community and each person is called upon to work towards this ideal to the best of his means and abilities. As a Jewish People we must always act as one, כאיש אחד בלב אחד.Remember the words קול הי בכח, as Chazal explain, בכוחו של כל אחד ואחד, our future depends upon the Jewish People with one unifying voice.
The presence of the entire assembly signifies that the ultimate goal of Kedusha, can only be achieved through the collective efforts of the whole nation. Understandably each individual can reach a wonderful degree of Holiness,but our Torah and all of the Mitzvot depends on the participation of the community. This is very evident as we realize the importance of the Kehillah, of the Tzibur,especially when we congregate together for Tefilah. Only as a Tzibur, a congregation, can we intone together all the דבר שבקדושה, for only when we are united as one can we truly reach the ultimate heights of Holines, for only then are we referred to as, עדת בני ישראל.
However, let us always remember we cannot achieve the true אהבת הי, unless we first fulfill the dictum of ואהבת לרעך כמוך. That is why Rabbi Akiva said that this directive is, זה כלל גדול בתורה, this is the great rule in the Torah.
This must be our guiding principle. Love of G-D, is very important, but without love of mankind we would truly be a miss as an עם קדוש.
As we experience the counting of the days of Sefira, let us consider to count every Jew in a loving manner, embrace each other with open hands and open hearts and show the world what the true meaning of , קדושים תהיו, really signifies.
שבת שלום ומבורך
I recall the story of the day a locomotive first came to a small Jewish town in Europe, and the Hasidim decided to show their Rebbe this miracle of modern civilization. As the Rebbe neared the station, he saw a long line of black cold, motionless cars, attached to each other. The engine in front was belching fire, sending smoke into the clouds. Suddenly, with an ear shattering roar, the engine started moving and the long line of cars moved with it.
"Rebbe,Rebbe, what do you say to this remarkable sight?" The Rebbe pondered the phenomenon and then remarked in Yiddish "Zeht vie ein haysa ken mit shleypen azoy fil kalteh", look how one hot, fiery object can pull along so many cold ones.
This is the fact of life when it comes to Yahadut. We have the power, when we unite as one people to accomplish much, especially with our love for each other, and in doing so, to encourage and to embrace others as we travel the road of Yiddishkeit and Torah together.
This I sense is the main theme of this week's second Parsha, Kedoshim.
To get the true message of achieving the ultimate Kedusha we need to hear well the opening words of the Sedrah. וידבר הי אל משה לאמר דבר אל כל עדת בני ישראל. Hashem spoke to Moshe saying, "Speak to the entire assembly of the Children of Israel."
The crucial words in this dialogue is עדת בני ישראל, the entire assembly. Herein we see that the true principle of Kedusha concerns all parts of the community and each person is called upon to work towards this ideal to the best of his means and abilities. As a Jewish People we must always act as one, כאיש אחד בלב אחד.Remember the words קול הי בכח, as Chazal explain, בכוחו של כל אחד ואחד, our future depends upon the Jewish People with one unifying voice.
The presence of the entire assembly signifies that the ultimate goal of Kedusha, can only be achieved through the collective efforts of the whole nation. Understandably each individual can reach a wonderful degree of Holiness,but our Torah and all of the Mitzvot depends on the participation of the community. This is very evident as we realize the importance of the Kehillah, of the Tzibur,especially when we congregate together for Tefilah. Only as a Tzibur, a congregation, can we intone together all the דבר שבקדושה, for only when we are united as one can we truly reach the ultimate heights of Holines, for only then are we referred to as, עדת בני ישראל.
However, let us always remember we cannot achieve the true אהבת הי, unless we first fulfill the dictum of ואהבת לרעך כמוך. That is why Rabbi Akiva said that this directive is, זה כלל גדול בתורה, this is the great rule in the Torah.
This must be our guiding principle. Love of G-D, is very important, but without love of mankind we would truly be a miss as an עם קדוש.
As we experience the counting of the days of Sefira, let us consider to count every Jew in a loving manner, embrace each other with open hands and open hearts and show the world what the true meaning of , קדושים תהיו, really signifies.
שבת שלום ומבורך
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