Acharei Mot-Kedoshim
04/25/2023 02:14:31 PM
This week is one of the few where we read two Torah portions over one Shabbat. In years that are not leap years, we double up on a number of Parshiot. Next year, when we have a leap year, each Shabbat will have a single Torah portion.
Although there is a practical reason why there are two portions this week, I often see that there may be a message for us to take away from the combination of themes. Consider this week with two very different stories. Acharei Mot, which means "after the death," recalls the death of Nadav and Avihu, Aaron's sons. Kedoshim, meaning holiness, is a long portion containing some of the most meaningful ethical laws. These include loving our neighbors, upright treatment of those on the fringe of society, a fair court system, allowing the poor to sustain themselves, and more.
On Shabbat, we will be challenged by the presence of both of these very different readings. One does not need to go any further than the names of these readings to find meaning. After Death-Holiness… This week, this month, this year, we have experienced profoundly troubling loss of life, as Aaron did. Where do we go from here? Our tradition provides an answer. We must respond to tragedy by pursuing holiness; by bringing sanctity back into our daily lives. We are not allowed to sit in the dark, alone. We are instructed to return to the world and work to make it a better, more righteous place.
In the wake of so many senseless shootings and other violent and unjust acts that have ended lives, this Torah portion calls us to work harder to create a society that envisions and acts on change; that invests in individuals and organizations that use creativity and thoughtfulness in the face of a broken world; and supports communities that understand and respond to issues of bias, racism and antisemitism.
Acharei Mot-Kedoshim instructs us to move forward, carrying our losses with us - to move toward holiness, righteousness and justice. May we live up to the call from this week’s parasha.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Amy Schwartzman