Parashat Kedoshim is the 30th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of readings. It is located in the book of Leviticus, and it is considered one of the most important and influential portions in the entire Torah. Kedoshim means “holy” in Hebrew, and the portion’s name reflects its central theme, which is the call for the Israelites to be holy and to live according to God’s commands.
The opening verses of Parashat Kedoshim provide a powerful statement of this central theme. God commands Moses to instruct the Israelites to be holy, for He is holy. The remainder of the portion is a detailed set of commandments that explain what it means to be holy and how to live according to God’s commands.
Parashat Kedoshim covers a broad range of topics, including ethical behavior, interpersonal relationships, and religious practice. It begins with the commandment to honor one’s parents and extends to a prohibition on idol worship, sexual misconduct, and mistreatment of the poor and vulnerable. The portion also includes instructions on how to observe the Sabbath, how to conduct business honestly, and how to treat strangers and foreigners.
The portion’s detailed and comprehensive nature underscores the importance of the commandments and the importance of living a life of holiness. In addition, the ethical and interpersonal commandments are placed side by side with the religious commandments, emphasizing that living a holy life involves both piety and ethical behavior.
One of the most famous commandments in Parashat Kedoshim is the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” This commandment reflects the importance of interpersonal relationships and underscores the need to treat others with kindness and respect. It is a call to action for individuals to build a more just and compassionate society.
Overall, Parashat Kedoshim provides a powerful and comprehensive set of commandments that define what it means to live a holy life. The portion reflects the importance of both ethical behavior and religious practice and emphasizes the need for individuals to build strong and just interpersonal relationships. The commandment to love one’s neighbor as oneself is a particularly important and influential statement, reflecting the core values of the Jewish faith and providing a powerful moral and ethical foundation for all individuals seeking to live a life of holiness.
Kedoshim
קדושים
Ezekiel 20:2-20
On the day that I chose Israel, I gave My oath-b to the stock of the House of Jacob; when I made Myself known to them in the land of Egypt, I gave my oath to them. When I said, “I the LORD am your God,”
Parashat Aharei Mot Weekday reading Moroccan te’amim