Parsha Achrei Mot-Kedoshim (Leviticus 16:1-20:27)

Double Parsha: Achrei Mot-Kedoshim

Day 4 (Part 1): Leviticus 18:22-30

(Leviticus 18:22-23)

Today’s portion opens with additional forms of forbidden relations set forth by Hashem to His holy people, the Jews.

The first two forbidden relations were mentioned together at the end of day 3’s study. These relations include the prohibition against male homosexual relations and the prohibition against having sexual relations with animals.

The prohibition against homosexual relations is the prohibition against the Pegan practices that led to the destruction of towns and cities such as Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19). If Hashem’s Jewish people practice such relations, He later warns that He will destroy Zion in like manner as He did Sodom—we see an example in miniature among the tribe of Benjamin in Judges 20-21.

Day 4 (Part 2): Leviticus 19:1-14

(Leviticus 19:1-3)

Hashem begins this portion by telling Moshe Rabbeinu to tell the Jewish people again to “be holy, because I, the LORD your God, am holy.”

Kedoshim means “holy ones.” The ones who keep Torah, abide by the laws, rules, and regulations set forth by Hashem. Kedoshim does not assume that Hashem’s holy people are perfect—we can never be perfectly holy, as only Hashem is perfect. But, there is the understanding that the Kedoshim are those who strive for holiness; who accept the yoke of heaven, and who are humble enough to perform teshuvah when we realize we have strayed.

The Kedoshim are Hashem’s holy ones, to whom He has given the Torah—His book of covenants, which are vows for the loving relationship He seeks with all humanity, but starts with the Jews. The Jews are the Kedoshim to whom Hashem gave His Torah.

Leviticus 18:22-19:14

וְאֶ֨ת־זָכָ֔ר לֹ֥א תִשְׁכַּ֖ב מִשְׁכְּבֵ֣י אִשָּׁ֑ה תּוֹעֵבָ֖ה הִֽוא׃

22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind; it is abomination.

וּבְכׇל־בְּהֵמָ֛ה לֹא־תִתֵּ֥ן שְׁכׇבְתְּךָ֖ לְטׇמְאָה־בָ֑הּ וְאִשָּׁ֗ה לֹֽא־תַעֲמֹ֞ד לִפְנֵ֧י בְהֵמָ֛ה לְרִבְעָ֖הּ תֶּ֥בֶל הֽוּא׃

23 And thou shalt not lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith; neither shall any woman stand before a beast, to lie down thereto; it is perversion.

אַל־תִּֽטַּמְּא֖וּ בְּכׇל־אֵ֑לֶּה כִּ֤י בְכׇל־אֵ֙לֶּה֙ נִטְמְא֣וּ הַגּוֹיִ֔ם אֲשֶׁר־אֲנִ֥י מְשַׁלֵּ֖חַ מִפְּנֵיכֶֽם׃