Of Equal Importance

 

In the middle of Parshas Emor we recount again the laws and ceremonies of various holidays. Beggining with Pesach, the Omer, and Shavuous - and concluding with Rosh Hashannah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkos. What is strange, however, is what comes in between Shavuous and Rosh Hashannah.

In the middle of discussing these holidays, the Torah reminds us of something it has already said earlier; 'And when you harvest your field, do not cut off the corners, and your gatherings of your harvest- do not gather, leave them for the poor and the convert, I am Hashem (23:22)'. What is this doing in the middle of the holidays?

Rashi quotes that the pasuk is specifically put in the middle of this discussion to teach us the following idea: Anyone who does these mitzvos, of helping the poor and the convert, is considered as if he or she has built the Beis HaMikdash and brought sacrifices on the altar, just as they do during the holidays.

We know that mitzvos can be categorized into two sections: Those that are done solely for the sake of Hashem, and those that are done between you and fellow man. Perhaps the idea Rashi is trying to impart is that we cannot view one as greater than the other. It is easy to get swept up in the chase of Learning Torah and Davening to Hashem-which are obviously very important- but one musn't neglect that which is just as important. We must treat our fellow man with the utmost respect and kindess. Hopefully then, as Rashi says, we will once again merit the building of Beis Hamikdash.

Holiness

What does it mean to be a truly holy person? One would think that this week's Parsha, "Kedoshim"(Holy), might lend insight into what it means.

If, however, we examine what topics are dealt with in Kedoshim, it would seem strikingly peculiar if these issues were deemed "holy". The Parsha tells us about assorted interpersonal dealings and relationships with goyim. One would assume "holiness"implies cleaving to Hashem, or learning Torah. Why is there no mention of such things?

The truth is, if we rethink our perspective, it is no big deal to be holy while Davening or Learning. The holiness is naturally intrinsic to those acts. The Torah is telling us that the bigger holiness occurs when you can infuse your everyday actions with holiness. 

The Rambam, in his Mishneh Torah, has one whole volume titled "Kedusha". He does not list Learning or Davening. Instead he describes forbidden foods, illicit relationships, and food preparations. Specifically by everyday actions is where we can most express how holy we truly are. 

Taking The Step

Today was the first day that I wore my Kepa without covering it up with a hat. 

This was a step that I knew was coming and wanted to happen. It just had to be the right time and today was it. 

When I woke up, I got ready and proudly put my Kepa on and left my red hat that I usually put on top of my Kepa on my shelf with only my kepa covering my head. 

I wondered what people were going to say or act like but this still did not stop me. 

I am proud to be Jewish and I have nothing to hide. I was free. A free and proud jew in my school with nothing to hide. I was not hiding anything when I put my hat on the last 7 weeks. 

I still wore my Kepa but was just waiting for the right time to take the step after I made a huge announcement 2 weeks before so that is the reason. I did not feel the power until the afternoon, about 30 minutes before JSU, and then it suddenly came to me. I took the step! I was so proud and still am. I wear my NCSY SUMMER kepa around that I bought at Yom NCSY last year on TJJ. 

That’s how my first day went wearing my Kepa at school.

Post by,

Lee Goodman

Remembering Our Soldiers

Right now in Israel it is Yom Hazikaron, a memorial day for the fallen Israeli soldiers.

We should never forget how appreciative and be grateful we should be for the soldiers who are risking their lives for our safety and the safety of Eretz Yisrael.

These videos are about two incredibly heroic soldiers who gave their lives protecting what was so special to them.

Courtesy of Aish.com

"You can't fulfill your dreams, unless you dare to risk it all."

- Michael Levin