Entering The World to Come - Now

Parashas Kedoshim

Of Mighty Men and Merit

Rabbi David Katz

Our Parasha quickly grabs the reader's attention in one core area; with masterfully clear expression and transmission, the whole Torah is on display in Kedoshim. Before we ascertain however, what the extent of this observation is, the paramount issue is to address why in fact, now and here Hashem desires to display his vast treasure in this junction of the Torah. The simple answer is that later on in the Book of Devarim, Moses will call upon the entirety of the Nation [Jews and Gerim] through the reciting of the entire wealth of the Torah. Thus it was in fact this Parasha [state the majority of Commentators] that Moses read to everyone, for it was destined to contain the source for all of God's Commandments and aspects of the entire Torah. The careful reader can easily point out a root to all 613 Commandments of the Jewish People, an even richer 10 Commandment reference for a Universal Message, comprehensive Torah concepts, such as "Love thy neighbor as thyself", and many other angles that express a completely objective view of the Torah from cover to cover, and thus this Parasha was read to all. The most riveting aspect however is another set of Laws all together…the Noahide Laws. All Thirty of them.

There is an obscure teaching that manifests all throughout rabbinic and scriptural literature that alludes to the relationship between The Nations [of all levels] and the Messianic time, which of course is led by an actual Messiah. This relationship shows that the Nations are in fact redeemed as well, in a concept called "the redemption of the Ger" – an effort led by the Messiah himself. The Midrash on this topic states that the Messiah's scholarship is in fact geared for the Nations , and as King David explains to his son Solomon in Psalm 72:6 – it is the Torah wisdom of the Messianic figure that the Nations need for Repair of the World. The Universality of his scholarship is his prime initiative, for wisdom only serves to judge with righteousness, and it is the Nations that most naturally fit the shape to Messianic wisdom. Thus the Messiah is called by the prophet a King of Israel and a Prince [president] of the Nations.

In this same Midrash [Midrash Rabbah "Vayechi"] a new angle in this discussion emerges from the redemption of the Ger realization, and states that in the future [of these Nations being redeemed] the Messiah will further the cause and deliver an additional Thirty Noahide Laws [that bring one to emulate the forefather for all – Abraham, for he is hinted at in the number thirty]. The Talmud Sanhedrin and several commentaries list these Thirty Laws, and they are seen as extensions from the original tree of 7, which in turn has of itself three main roots for universal civil law [1) prohibition against gay marriage 2) prohibition against cannibalism 3) to uphold the Torah respectfully]. At the bottom of this article I have listed the Thirty new commandments, and now we will explain its theory and connection to our Parasha.

As is written above, Parashas Kedoshim was the Parasha that Moses read to the entire lot of people who were about to enter the Land of Israel. The list of people who were a part of this experience were Jews, women, Gerim, slaves, kids, etc. it truly was a national interest, and for this reason it was imperative that this/at least one Parasha should contain the skeleton of the entire Torah. It would not be enough that this would be a national gathering to hear the Torah, for the Torah goes further to articulate the nature of this congregation as a social demographic.

We have made perfectly clear that this was an exclusive event held by Jewish men; rather it was a universal message, without exclusion, and by definition and logic there would be a special emphasis placed on the Gerim, for they would be destined to eternally travel alongside the Jewish people. In resonance with this truth is the grammar of the Torah in its particular word usage. Often the Torah in these moments of national address the familiar term "Mankind [Adam]" is employed to convey a general assembly. However, in Kedoshim the term "Ish [an individual; one with identity]" is written, showing that all who were present were unique individuals. By definition, we are taught that the feeling at this function from the vantage point of the individual was that each and every one there mattered, and was aware of himself, and his relationship with God. They [especially the Gerim] knew their purpose and cause, and no one would be a generic soul who just happened to be there – this was by divine appointment. Thus is the true nature of the Ger – he is not without a face, name, and identity – he matters, he registers, and he is recognized throughout – he is loved in every sense of the word. One can see how important it is that the budding Noahide movement enters into the precincts of the Ger, if not to only return to the Nations their inheritance of Love and identity through their eternal connection to God, Torah, and Israel.

Lastly, we are now in good position to actually identify the ingredients that are buried throughout the Parasha. If we look to the list of Thirty Noahide Laws below, and you scan the Parsha as if going on a treasure hunt, you will find scriptural allusion to all Thirty Mitzvot, along with the obvious rot-head of Seven [Noahide Laws]. This goes without saying that you can identify all 10 commandments of Sinai, and even further research can be invested into delving into all 613. Under very clear terms we see the Parasha goes over modesty issues, theft, kosher, statutes, idolatry – of the EXACT nature listed in the list of 30 [diving and auspicious times to name two], blasphemy, and murder; hence, a basis of all 7 and direct hints in text to all 30. At first this would seem like a guess or a stretch, but once we put the idea into context of this Parasha being the source of the whole Torah with intention, then the idea actually becomes just an obvious articulated observation that takes place in an official setting. Combine the Mitzvot with the principles of the Torah in entirety [such as love thy neighbor and the various Ger references that express universal truth] and we truly do have the opportunity to convey Hashen's message on the biggest stage – all that Kedoshim mas meant to be from its inception.

To reiterate, Parashas Kedoshim asks of us to be holy, unique, universal, complete, knowledgeable, and present before Hashem to name just a few of its endless attributes that it possesses. In some ways, we couldn't ask for a more profound message to the Ger, for not only is everything here for him in this world [in the Parasha; particularly when the Shabbat is mentioned], but the Thirty Laws expose Light of the future as well, for they are here in our World, while exposing light of service that has never happened yet – but that will only happen with the Messiah's instruction. In a sense, our Parasha opens the door to redemption, and it conveniently is read around the time of festival of redemption in Passover.

Intellect is called a Ger in this World, for the definition of a Ger is something or someone that is here but not indigenous to "hear." The Ger [person] is synonymous with the intellect of Torah, and once we redeem the Ger, the light of his World will usher him in; and as we see in our Parasha, the channels of movement will extend through his new commandments. The Midrash in its explanation of the 30 asks if these 30 of Scripture are speaking of the commandments or of Might Men. I say, what's the difference? A Ger of 30 is certainly a Mighty Man, for he stood with Moses hearing the entire Torah, and for this alone, the Ger is a Light for us, shining into  this World, allowing the Light to Nations mechanism to finally begin. Remember this perspective is about the individual, and like the native and the Ger among you- there will be one law for them all. And so it was, on the day that Moses would read aloud Parashas Kedoshim to all of Israel – Jews and Gerim.

                                                            Class Tonite at 11 P. M. Tzfat Time -The Article In-Depth                

1

 AVODAH ZARAH / Avodat Elilim

IDOLATRY:

עבודת  אלילים

2

 Ma'avir Ba'esh

Passing a child through fire in the worship of molech

מעביר באש

3

 Kosem

Stick divination

קוסם

4

 Me'onen

Divining of auspicious times

מעונן

5

 Menachesh

Interpreting of omens / Superstition

מנחש

6

 Mechashef

Witchcraft / Sorcery

מכשף

7

 Chover Chaver

Charming / using incantations

חובר חבר

8

 Ov

Consulting mediums

אוב

9

 Yidoni

Consulting oracles

ידעוני

10

 Doresh El ha'Mesim

Necromancy

דורש אל המתים

2nd Category

שנית

11

GILUY ARAYOS

SEXUAL SINS:

גלוי עריות

12

Peru *

Be fruitful

פרו

13

Revu *

Multiply seed

רבו

14

Ba Al ha'Zechur

Don’t draw up marriage contracts for homosexuals.

אסור הזכור אפילו יחדו בכתובה

15

Kilayei Behemah

Cross-breeding of animals

כלאי בהמה

16

Sirus

Castration

סרוס

17

Harkavas ha'Ilan

Grafting trees

הרכבת אילן

3rd Category

שלישית

18

SHEFICHUS DAMIM

MURDER:

שפיכות  דמים

19

Soter Lo'o Shel Yisroel

Striking a Jew

סוטר לועו של ישראל

4th Category

רביעית

20

BIRKAS HASHEM

BLASPHEMY:

ברכת ה׳

21

Kavod ha'Torah *

Honour the Torah (and Torah scholars).

כבוד התורה

22

la'Asok ba'Torah she'Nitnah Lahem *

Studying relevant parts of the Torah.

לעסוק בתורה שניתנה להם

5th Category

חמישית

23

GEZZEL

THEFT:

גזל

24

Shelo la'Asok ba'Torah Shel Yisrael

No to study non-relevant parts of the Torah.

שלא לעסוק בתורה מורשה אלינו

6th Category

ששית

25

HADINIM LEYISHUVO SHEL OLOM *

ESTABLISHMENT OF A  SYSTEM OF JUSTICE:

הדינין לישובו של עולם

26

Velo Yishbosu

Not to observe the Sabbath

ולא ישבותו

7th Category

שביעית

27

EIVER MIN HACHAY

EATING ALL OR PART OF A  LIVING CREATURE:

אבר  מן  החי

28

Dam Min ha'Chay

Blood of a living  creature

דם מן החי

29

Nevelah

Eating an animal that died without proper slaughter.

נבלה

30

Basar Hames

Human flesh.

בשר המת














Don't miss the newest Psalms installment!  72:6 - "Solomon's Wisdom to The Nations"

Posted in: 30 Noahide Laws,Article,Kedoshim,Parasha