WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW

Parashat Kedoshim

6 Iyar 5776 / 13-14 May 2016

Torah: Leviticus 19:1 – 20:27

Haftarah: Amos 9:7-15 (Ashkenazim); Ezekiel 20:2-20 (Sephardim)

Calendar and dedications follow below. For a full calendar of events and other info about Congregation Beth Meier, check out: http://bethmeier.org

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WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW

"You shall not take revenge and you shall not bear a grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your fellow as yourself; I am the Lord." Lev. 19:18

"As the home born among you, so shall be the stranger that dwells with you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God." Lev. 19:34.

In her book, "New Studies in Leviticus", Nehama Leibowitz wonders what exactly is meant by "as yourself" (kamocha). She points out that the Rabbis had said that to love another as one's self cannot be taken literally. She refers to the commentary "Biur", which says, "It is hardly conceivable that the Almighty should command something which is beyond human capacity." Rather, says Leibowitz, do not read "as yourself", but instead "who is like you". That is why the Torah says, "For you were strangers in the land of Egypt." Because you know the heart of a stranger (Exodus 23:9), you must love the stranger rather than treat him the way you were treated in Egypt.

Leibowitz’ reading raises another issue. The word "ger", translated here as "stranger", has two meanings - "alien" and "proselyte". The Rabbis understood the “stranger that dwells with you” in the latter sense. They understood "you were strangers" in the former sense. Then Leibowitz’ understanding of "kamocha" as "who is like you" would suggest either that the Israelites had become Egyptian proselytes, God forbid, or that "the stranger that dwells with you" means any stranger, regardless of religious practice.

Far be it from me to suggest that the Rabbis misinterpreted this verse; but I wish to propose a broader meaning. The "stranger" is a closely related case to "fellow". Just as you are to love your fellow, who you recognize to be like you, so should you love the stranger who, as it happens, whether alien or proselyte, is also like you.

Recall that every person is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). Perhaps that is why the second verse has the phrase "your God" - as a reminder. So every person can become "your fellow" whom you love and who loves you in return - but only when you acknowledge that every person is "like you".

This Shabbat, we each have the opportunity to carry out both of the mitzvot discussed above, as well as the mitzvah that opens the parashah - "…You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.” Lev. 19:2

This Saturday, May 14, mail carriers throughout the United States will be "stamping out hunger", collecting cans, bags and boxes of non-perishable groceries. The food will be distributed to local food banks and soup kitchens. This is a no-brainer. All you have to do is leave groceries by your mailbox and the carrier will take it when s/he delivers your mail. One item or fifty, it will all help alleviate someone's hunger for a time. It's a wonderful way for you and your children to carry out the call which we made at the Pesach Seder just two weeks ago - "Let all who are hungry come and eat!"

Have a wonderful, loving and holy Shabbat!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom

Congregation Beth Meier - Studio City, CA

Website: http://bethmeier.org

Blogging at: http://rav-rich.blogspot.com/

"From the place where we are absolutely right, flowers will never grow in the spring."

"מן המקום שבו אנו צודקים לא יצמחו לעולם פרחים באביב"

Yehuda Amichai

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Candlelighting: 7:28 pm

Friday: Family Shabbat Evening Service – 7:30 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.

Saturday: Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00 am. Kiddush lunch follows.

Sunday: Religious School – 9:30 am. Adult Hebrew Class – 10:00 am.

Tuesday: Lunch and Learn – 12:00 noon.

Friday, 20 May: Shabbat Evening Service – 8:00 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.

Saturday, 21 May: Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00 am. Kiddush lunch follows.

Sunday, 22 May: Lag B’Omer Religious School and Congregational Cook-out – Beeman Park – 11:00 am. Everyone’s invited to this end of the school-year event. CBM providing the hot dogs (yes, including vegetarian), sides, snacks and drinks. You bring games, Frisbees, etc.

Next time you come to Beth Meier, please bring some non-perishable canned and packaged foods and personal items (no glass) for SOVA.

This d'var torah is offered in memory of my cousin, Irvin Jacobson z”l, whose yahrzeit is on Sunday, 7 Iyar. His memory is a blessing.

This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Yaakov Rani Ben Margalit, Avi Shmuel Yosef Hakohen ben Bella, Miriam Minya bat Alisa Batya, Sarah bat Devorah, Scott Beatty, Ken Bitticks, Elsbet Brosky, Jerry Daniels, Maya Fersht (Maya bat Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben Gittel), Leonard Foint (Eliezer Moshe ben Esther), Jerry Forman, Stephanie Kane, Philip Kovac, Carolynne Lavoie-Schwartz, Suzanne Rosenthal (Sima Devorah bat Chanah), and Deborah Schugar Strauss (Devorah bat Chaya Feiga).

Please let me know if there is anyone you would like to add to this list or if there is anyone who may be removed from this list.

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