Immediately after the death of
the two sons of Aharon, HaShem instructed Moshe to warn
Aharon not to enter the Kodesh Hakodashim at anytime except
on Yom Kippur when he enters while offering the Ketoret.
Rashi quotes Rabbi E1az.ar Ben Azaria who illustrates how
important a warning is, if it comes right after a tragedy.
A doctor, who prescribes a medicine without explaining how
important it is to take it, may not have the same results as
the doctor who warns of tragic consequences if the medicine
is not taken. This is the reason why HaShem's warning to
Aharon comes right after the death of his sons. Acharei-Mot
Shnei Benei Aharon.
One may sincerely wonder as to
why indeed is man prohibited from entering the holiest place
on Earth. Even the High Priest is only permitted once a year
on Yom Kippur. Will it not be better to dwell in the house
of HaShem all of our lives as David prayed for "Shivti bevet
HaShem kol yemei chayay?”
Perhaps, the reason is expressed
by the passuk of Shiviti HaShem lenegdi tamid.” "I have (or
shall) set HaShem always before me." To prevent some
individuals who may think that they might escape the
realities of this world and dwell in the inner holiness of
HaShem all of their lives without experiencing and
appreciating the beauty of the real world and not performing
the many Mitzvot which apply outside of the sanctuary,
HaShem instructs us “kedoshim tihyu,” “be holy.” Anywhere,
anytime. Not only in the sanctuary. “Melo kol haaretz
k’vodo.” Our Kedusha comes only through Torah and Mitzvot,
“Asher Kideshanu Bemitzvotav - Asher Bachar Banu Mikol
Haamim Venatan Lanu Et Torato.”
We may indeed appreciate what is
illustrated by this warning. A person is instructed to be
holy by performing HaShem's mitzvot not only while he is in
the sanctuary, but the Mitzvot Bein Adam L 'chavero apply
more outside the sanctuary. We often observe some
individuals who demonstrate so much sincerity while davening
in shul but lack honesty and integrity outside the shul or
in the world of business. This is the reason why these two
Parshiot continue with so many mitzvot which are Bein Adam
L'chavero. The most important being the Mitzva of “veahavta
lereacha kamocha,” “love your friend as yourself.” The great
Hillel explains this to mean "What is hateful to you, do not
do to your friend." Rabbi Akiva said, “Zeh klal gadol
baTorah.” This is a great principle of the Torah, that man
should love and treat everyone equally as he loves and
treats himself. This, to Rabbi Akiva is perhaps the most
important and the most difficult Mitzvah to observe. Think
how many Mitzvot are included in this Mitzvah that Hillel
instructed the one who wanted to convert to Judaism quickly
to delve into this Mitzvah first and then study the rest of
the Mitzvot.
The student of HaRav Kook,
Zatzal once asked him: “How can you continue to love those
who were so much against the Torah and constantly fighting
to destroy Judaism during the establishment of Eretz
Israel?” He responded by saying: “I would rather be accused
of Ahavat Hinam, senseless love, than Sinat Hinam, senseless
hate.”
In conclusion, I have heard many
great Roshei Yeshivot lament about the connection of these
two Parshiot, Acharei-Mot Kedoshim. We live indeed in a
generation which is after the death of our Kedoshim who were
so criminally tortured and murdered during the Holocaust.
They died b’kdusha u’vtahara- Al Kiddush HaShem.
May we merit to reach HaShem's
wish of Kedoshim Tihyu.
Shabbat Shalom!
