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May 25, 2012
Mark Clayton: Is Hillary's State Dept. hacking Al Qaeda? Not quite
Erika Bolstad: Temple cancels Wasserman Schultz speech
The Kosher Gourmet by Ethel G. Hofman: The former president of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, whose members included the likes of Julia Child, is back with contemporary Shavous cuisine: Ruby Fruit Soup, Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cheese, Key Lime Curd, Calsone Casserole Frittata with Wild Mushrooms, Sun-dried tomatoes and Olives, Baked Tilapia with Pepper Cheese Cream and Brown Sugar Shortbread
May 24, 2012
Jeff Jacoby: The peace process battered Israel's reputation
Michael Muskal: 'Pro-choice' position hits record low, according to poll
Chris Farrell: Are We in a Tech Bubble?
The Kosher Gourmet by Penelope Wall: PHILLY CHEESE STEAKS --- hold the steak!
May 23, 2012
Tony Pugh: More private colleges offering tuition discounts
Mary Beth Franklin: How to Choose the Right Annuity for You
Tina Susman: The wig wasn't enough: Man gets 13 years for posing as his dead mom
The Kosher Gourmet by Emma Christensen:A simple way to do fish right
May 22, 2012
Warren Richey: Can US group challenge overseas surveillance act? Supreme Court to decide
Thomas M. Anderson: Walking Away From a Mortgage
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: Enjoy a celebration of the most rich and layered flavors: Black bean, sweet potato and quinoa chili
May 21, 2012
Mark Clayton: Cybersecurity: How US utilities passed up chance to protect their networks
Howard LaFranchi: NATO summit: Who will foot the bill for long-term Afghanistan security?
Chris Farrell : Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Stephen Whiteside, Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: Social anxiety disorder --- or just shy?
Guy Jackson : Victim's father regrets death of Lockerbie bomber
The Kosher Gourmet by Mario Batali: Famed chef's veal shoulder farsumagru: A festive meat course for late spring
May 18, 2012
Rabbi Berel Wein: Striving: The People of the Book's Book for (All of) the People
Steven Goldberg: 5 Great Stock Picks and the Exchange-Traded Fund that Owns Them
Mary Pickett, M.D.: Ask the Harvard Experts: Don't be forced into gluten-free lifestyle based merely on a doctor's false-positive test
The Kosher Gourmet by Carolyn Malcoun: DIY healthy lunchbox treats: HOMEMADE FRUIT BARS for kids and brown-bagging adults alike
May 17, 2012
Warren Richey: Teacher fired for being unwed and pregnant can sue religious school, court rules
Josh Mitnick: Netanyahu's 'centrist' coalition is already proving it's anything but
Steven Goldberg: Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Amina Khan: Research links coffee to lower death rates
The Kosher Gourmet by Faith Duran : Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole with Cheddar and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
May 16, 2012
Carmen Terzic, M.D., Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: A variety of exercises can help improve balance
Melissa Healy: National strategy on Alzheimer's disease aims to halt it by 2025
The Kosher Gourmet by Joyce White : GOODNESS GRACIOUS: GREENS! 4 winning recipes that are no longer just for down-home folks (Includes expert tips & techniques)
May 15, 2012
Kristen Chick: Obama administration resumes arms sales to Bahrain despite serious unresolved human rights issues. Activists feel abandoned
Pat Mertz Esswein: Homes are now affordable again and mortgage rates are low. What you need to know before you buy
Kathy Kristof: Our Practical Investor Fights Inflation with These 6 Investments
Sue Hubbard, M.D.: The Kid's Doctor: Lactose intolerant young child? Check again
The Kosher Gourmet by Kathy Hunt: Spread a Little Excitement with EXOTIC CONDIMENTS (4 RECIPES)
May 14, 2012
Lisa Gerstner: How to Protect Your Identity, Finances If You Lose Your Phone
Harvard Health Letters: Heart disease and dementia
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: MANGO COCONUT OAT MORNING MUFFINS are a bright but hearty delight
May 11, 2012
Jessica L. Anderson: Get the Best Deal on a Used Car
Jett Stone: Forget face-lifts and fake knees. Scientists have seen the fountain of youth --- and it's broccoli
The Kosher Gourmet by Chef Mario Batali: The famed chef's vegetable dish that tastes true to the season: FAVAS AND SUGAR SNAP PEAS WITH POTATOES AND TARRAGON
May 10, 2012
Sergei L. Loiko: Putin sends warning to U.S., NATO in Victory Day speech at Red Square
Mary Rourke: How being a 'mentch' got Vidal Sasoon his start and fighting in Israel's War of Independence provided him with confidence and a strong sense of his own identity
Jeff Bertolucci: Get Home Phone Service for Less Than $10 a Month
The Kosher Gourmet by Betty Rosbottom: Gleaming with its golden, crimson, and snowy white hues, this silken smooth and creamy STRAWBERRY ORANGE TRIFLE looks impressive, but is easy to prepare
May 9, 2012
Sharon Palmer, R.D. How you can reduce your risk -- or delay -- chronic diseases associated with aging
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Jewish World Review
How not to be holy
By
Rabbi Reuven Drucker
Don't let a misconception limit your spiritual achievements
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Dear Rabbi,
The Torah commands us (Lev. 19.2) "be holy, because I, Hashem, your G—d, am holy," I envision a seemingly unrealistic expectation to be someone that I don't realistically see myself becoming. I have a hard time relating to the idea of "being holy" and would appreciate any insight on the subject.
Thank you,
Janice
Dear Janice,
I must admit that you are only the second person that has asked me this question and it truly gets to the crux of this Torah portion and the Torah's definition of holiness.
There are several misconceptions about the notion of holiness. Some believe it refers to the mysterious and esoteric teachings of the Torah associated with Kabbalah. Others think of eyeball—rolling mystics who worship G—d in a state of ecstasy. Still others are reminded of asceticism, withdrawing from the world of materialism.
However, from Maimonides we can draw other conclusions. By dint of his genius, he was able to codify all of Jewish law, as expounded upon in the Talmud. Although written more than 7 centuries ago, it remains an unparalleled work in Jewish jurisprudence. In Maimonides' view, all of Jewish law may be divided into 14 categories. So he named his work Yad Chazakah (lit. "strong hand"), which is a word play on the name 'hand,' which has a numerical equivalent of 14. He named each of the 14 books, and one of the books is called The Book of Holiness. Therefore, if we investigate the laws that Maimonides codifies in this book, we will discover his definition of 'holiness.' To our surprise, the laws relating to the Holy Temple, Torah scroll, or Tefillin are not even incorporated into this book. Rather, there are two main sets of laws. One deals with forbidden foods (the laws of Kosher), and the other deals with the laws of forbidden unions between a man and a woman.
From Maimonides' perspective, we see that holiness means 'restraint' — the ability to withstand temptation. Unlike animals that eat when they are hungry and mate when they are programmed, a human being has the ability to exercise his free will and override what instinct and temptation might suggest. A Jew has the ability to refrain from eating on Yom Kippur, realizing that sometimes there are needs that are even greater than nourishing the body — namely, the need to nourish the soul. A Jew has the ability to turn away from someone of the opposite gender if such a union is not in conformity with the Divine's plan for His people. Holiness, then, is the advancement of what is truly human, instead of succumbing to the allures of animal instinct. It does not imply the denial of human instinct, but rather regulation of that instinct according to the Torah's dictates.
The portion of Kedoshim in Leviticus enumerates some 46 commandments. The common thread among almost all of them is that they require major efforts of self-restraint. Many of the commandments in this Torah portion deal with financial concerns — giving money to the poor by leaving them part of the harvest in many ways. The desire for money is among the strongest of human desires. Overcoming one's desire for wealth by taking into account the needs of the poor requires high levels of self-restraint. Other commandments deal with forbidden foods, such as not eating fruits from a tree that is not yet 3 years old. One can imagine the curiosity and temptation that one might have to find out how his new tree produces fruit. Nevertheless, the Torah requires that one postpone such a taste until the tree is in its fourth year. Many other commandments deal with idolatry and the allure to know the future — issues which were very compelling to mankind until the Men of the Great Assembly nullified the urge for idolatry. To the modern mind, idolatry seems almost humorously sick, but to the ancient mind, it had one of the strongest pulls on the human psyche. In addition, the forbidden unions between a man and woman appear at the end of the portion.
So, Janice, holiness has been put into reach for every individual. We each have free will to make the hard choices that ultimately help us attain the highest form a man or woman may reach. It all depends on our ability to regulate our behaviors according to Torah norm. Today, it might be unfashionable to subscribe to the notion of 'delayed gratification,' but this has been the secret that has kept the Jewish people holy since the Torah was given on Sinai over 3,300 years ago.
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Rabbi Reuven Drucker is the spiritual leader of Congregation Agudath Israel in Highland Park, NJ.
© 2010, Partners in Torah
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