Parshat Acharei Mot–Kedoshim: Torah Lessons on Holiness

The True Meaning of Holiness: Between Heaven and Human Kindness

Good morning, dear friends.

Though it's late in the week, I still wanted to share a few words about this week’s powerful double parsha—Acharei Mot and Kedoshim.

A Tale of Two Parshiot: From Yom Kippur to Everyday Holiness

Parshat Acharei Mot focuses almost entirely on the Avodah of Yom Kippur—the sacred service of the Kohen Gadol in the Holy of Holies. It’s the height of spiritual elevation: the Shechinah resting on the Aron, the scent of ketoret filling the air, a moment where Heaven touches Earth.

Yet, as the parsha concludes, it shifts from the sublime to the moral: the arayot—forbidden relationships—reminding us that holiness is grounded in restraint and self-control.

Then comes Parshat Kedoshim, with the famous command:"Kedoshim Tihyu"—You shall be holy.

But how?

Holiness Is Found in Our Relationships

Kedusha isn’t just about the Beit HaMikdash or spiritual rituals. It’s about how we live every single day—especially in how we treat other people.

Parshat Kedoshim is packed with mitzvot bein adam lechavero:

• Don’t gossip

• Don’t hate your brother in your heart

• Don’t place a stumbling block before the blind

• Pay your workers on time

• Judge others fairly

• Love your neighbor as yourself

Yes, that verse appears here:"Ve’ahavta l’rei’acha kamocha"—Love your fellow as yourself.

This, Chazal say, is a "klal gadol baTorah"—a major principle of the Torah.

A Lesson in Favorable Judgment: Rabbi Akiva

One of the greatest examples of this principle was Rabbi Akiva.

Before becoming a great Torah sage, he was an unlearned man. Once, he worked for a wealthy man in the south for three years. When he asked for his wages, the man replied:“I have nothing to pay you.”

Rabbi Akiva didn’t get angry. He didn’t accuse him. He simply returned home, empty-handed.

Later, the employer came with great wealth and gifts and said, “You judged me favorably. I had vowed to give away my assets. But now I can pay you.”

Just as Rabbi Akiva judged favorably, the employer blessed him:“Just as you judged me favorably, may Hashem judge you favorably.”

The Pain of His Students’ Failure

Tragically, Rabbi Akiva’s 24,000 students didn’t follow his example. They failed to treat each other with love and respect, and during the days of Sefirat HaOmer, they died.

That’s why this time period is filled with mourning. Not just for their loss, but as a wake-up call:

If we want to receive the Torah again on Shavuot, we must cleanse our hearts of judgment, anger, and indifference.

The Mitzvah of Orlah: Learning to Wait

Another message from this parsha is the mitzvah of Orlah: when you plant a fruit tree, you must wait three years before enjoying its fruit.

The fourth year’s fruit is kodesh, and only in the fifth year may you benefit from it.

Why wait?

Because the first sin of humanity—Adam eating from the Tree—came from impatience.

So too, Shaul HaMelech lost his kingship because he didn’t wait for Shmuel to arrive.

Hashem is teaching us:

Holiness requires patience.

From the Kodesh HaKodashim to the Corner Grocery

We often associate holiness with the lofty: Yom Kippur, the Beit HaMikdash, davening for hours. But this week’s parshiot teach us a deeper truth:

Holiness lives in the small moments.

• In waiting your turn.

• In giving someone the benefit of the doubt.

• In not speaking lashon hara.

• In loving others even when it's hard.

Walking Toward Matan Torah

As we count the days toward Shavuot, we’re not just preparing to receive the Torah—we’re preparing our hearts to be vessels for it.

That’s why we read Kedoshim now. It’s a blueprint for building a holy life.

Not a life of angels—but a life of human decency, restraint, and compassion.

Ve’ahavta l’rei’acha kamocha isn’t a slogan. It’s our way of life.May we live it more fully each day.

Wishing you a meaningful and uplifting Shabbat.

With love and blessings,Rebbetzin Chavi Golovenshitz