Shabbos Table

Parsha Acharei-Kedoshim is focuses on the ethical, moral, and religious practices of the Children of Israel.

The name of this parsha is derived from the first word of Leviticus 16:1, “Acharei,” meaning “afterwards,” and Leviticus 19:2, “Kedoshim,” meaning “sanctified.” This Parsha is a double Torah portion consisting of Leviticus 16-20. It is one of the most significant parshiot of the Torah.

The parsha begins with the Kohen Gadol’s instructions for the ritual of the Yom Kippur service, which includes a series of sacrifices, the use of the incense and the sacredness of the Holy of Holies. One of the profound lessons we can learn from the Yom Kippur service is that making amends and seeking forgiveness should be at the center of our lives. This principle is further emphasized in Leviticus 19:18 that says, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” This verse reminds us the importance of treating others with respect and compassion, and that forgiveness is central to healthy relationships.

The Parsha contains multiple ethical commands that are still relevant today. These include demands for justice, kindness, honesty, and the prohibition of false rumors and hateful speech. Sacrificial offering should not be mistaken as a cure for wrongdoings, as they must be combined with conscious choice and action to realize the penitent’s healing. The importance of morality is further accentuated by Rabbi Akiva’s saying, “Be careful with your words, more than with your sword.” This instruction urges us to be mindful of the words we use and recognizes that they can have more significant impacts than any weapon.

The Parsha also emphasizes the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect, including foreigners and the elderly. The Torah states, “You shall rise up before the aged and respect the elderly.” This principle also teaches us always to value human life as precious and to hold it to a high esteem. Rabbi Hillel emphasizes this in the following line, “If I am not for myself who is for me? Yet, if I am for myself only, what am I?”

We also learn the significance of transparency, especially when dealing with our faults and mistakes. One of the many questions posed in this parsha is; What happens when our loved deception is too big and too old? The Torah instructs us to admit our wrongdoing and accept responsibility. Rabbi Meir said, “At the time that the serpent entered Eve with its guile, it said nothing to her, however, G-d, confronting Cain, was clear, and therefore said to Adam and him, “Where?” This shows that we should be forthcoming with information as it enables the creating of the best solutions.

Parsha Acharei-Kedoshim offers profound life lessons that can apply to our modern-day lives. It offers wisdom and ethical guidance in many areas like relationships, dignity, compassion, honesty, and transparency. These teachings demonstrate that the values within Judaism are enduring and that individuals can live a fulfilled life by applying these eternal ethics. These lessons talk profoundly to building healthier relationship and increasing one’s self-worth, and it highlights how critical peaceful coexistence in our society is.