With all ears attentive they heard the King (they will hear the King) read “Be holy, for I, HaShem your G.D, am Holy.”
It is no wonder that this Parsha was chosen to be read at Hakheil. These few words give our nation the direction and guidance by which we have lived for the past 100 generations and by which we will reach our destiny. Everything we do, all of our life’s endeavors, be they in raising our families or educating our children, pursuing business opportunities or building communal institutions. Everything our nation is involved in is to be imbued with our striving to be holy.
What is holiness? In one word, ‘Holiness’ is ‘purpose’. When we dedicate all of our endeavors for the single purpose of sanctifying the Name of HaShem we are approaching holiness.
HaShem created Man unique among all the other creatures. All creatures from the mineral world, from the plant world and from the animal world are bound by the laws of nature that HaShem designated for them. The lion must kill for his meal and the cows must eat grass. No creature has free will, each is bound by their respective laws that govern them.
Man, on the other hand, although he too has laws of nature that govern him, was endowed with the capability to shatter those shackles. Although Man may have a tendency to attack, to steal, to cheat and to lie in certain circumstances, he has the ability to control that nature. Man is the only creature who has true freedom. He can allow his intellect to control his actions and reject his nature.
The only thing Man is missing to be truly free is the direction and guidance of what is the correct choice and conduct. While there are some axioms of what is good and what is evil, nevertheless, it is impossible for a mortal being to be able to properly discern true Goodness. This is why our Sages teach that only one who studies Torah is the free man. Although everybody has freedom, those who are not studying Torah will not be able to access the Torah’s
guidance; they will be bound by the natural laws just as all other creatures are bound.
Perhaps the reason Kedoshim is read during the Omer as we prepare for Shavuous is because Kedoshim places the Torah in the context of providing us independence from our bondage from our natural and physical limitations.
May we all find success in preparing ourselves in these coming weeks for the Jewish Day of Independence.
Have a very wonderful Shabbos.
Paysach Diskind