Shalom!
 
This week Parashat Kedoshim stresses that there are laws to be spoken to the entire nation which are necessary for their "holiness":
 
Vayikra/Leviticus 19:1 And YHWH spoke to Moshe, saying, 2 "Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: 'You shall be holy, for I YHWH your Elohim am holy.
 
Perhaps the reason for the mass gathering was all of the Ten Commandments are contained in this section.
 
 
1. I am YHWH your Elohim
  • Vayikra/Leviticus 19:2 ...: 'Be holy because I, YHWH your Elohim, am holy.
  • Vayikra/Leviticus 20:26 'And you shall be holy to Me, for I YHWH am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine.
2. You shall
have no other gods
  • Vayikra/Leviticus 19:4 ' Do not turn to idols, nor make for yourselves molded gods: I am YHWH your Elohim.
3. You shall not take Elohim's Name in vain
  • Vayikra/Leviticus 19:12 'And you shall not swear by My name falsely, nor shall you profane the name of your Elohim: I am YHWH.
4. Remember the Sabbath
  • Vayikra/Leviticus 19:3 ... keep My Sabbaths: I am YHWH your Elohim.
5. Honor your father and mother
  • Vayikra/Leviticus 19:3 ' Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and keep My Sabbaths: I am YHWH your Elohim.
6. Do not murder
  • Vayikra/Leviticus 19:16 'You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people; nor shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbor: I am YHWH.
7. Do not steal
  • Vayikra/Leviticus 19:11 ' You shall not steal, nor deal falsely
8. Do not commit adultery
  • Vayikra/Leviticus 19:29 ' Do not prostitute your daughter, to cause her to be a harlot, lest the land fall into harlotry, and the land become full of wickedness.
9. Do not bear false witness against your fellow
  • Vayikra/Leviticus 19:11 'You shall not... lie one against his fellow.
10. Do not covet
  • Vayikra/Leviticus 19:18 'You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am YHWH.
So why would the Ten Commandments in this expanded form, be repeated to all the people? There is no flaming mountain, lightning, or shofar blast here. There is no fear on the part of the people. The commandments are simply repeated to remind the people that these rules are their life. This is their code of conduct for holiness that will set them apart from the rest of the world. The result of living by them will be a witness of covenant blessing. Their willing and loving obedience to them will naturally enable them to be a light to the world:
 
Isaiah 42:5 Thus says El YHWH, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, And spirit to those who walk on it: 6 "I, YHWH, have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations
 
One particular law is repeated three times in Kedoshim:
 
Vayikra/Leviticus 19:31 ' Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am YHWH your Elohim.
 
Vayikra/Leviticus 20:6 ' And the person who turns to mediums and familiar spirits, to prostitute himself with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people.
 
Vayikra/Leviticus 20:27 "'A man or woman who is a medium or spiritist among you must be put to death. You are to stone them; their blood will be on their own heads.'"
 
These practices were very common in the idolatrous culture of Canaan. What draws a person toward mediums and familiar spirits? People have always been intrigued by the future. We have the example of King Saul as he was about to go to war and felt that he could not fight without some knowledge of the war's outcome:
 
1 Samuel 28:5 When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. 6 And when Saul inquired of YHWH, YHWH did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets. 7 Then Saul said to his servants, "Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her." And his servants said to him, "In fact, there is a woman who is a medium at En Dor." 8 So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothes, and he went, and two men with him; and they came to the woman by night. And he said, "Please conduct a seance for me, and bring up for me the one I shall name to you."
 
Saul had no business inquiring into this realm. The warnings in our Torah portion against mediums and familiar spirits were to caution the people to busy themselves with the celebration of life in their everyday circumstances. Sometimes we also can become preoccupied with events around us and the desire to know the future. If our focus is on the present, every area of life has the potential of becoming a witness of holiness. The way we approach agriculture, business, family life, sexuality, clothing...we can live in a way that radiates light to a dark and hurting world.
 
To quote Rabbi Jonathan Sacks:
A great teacher is a Living Torah Scroll
 
That is a perfect description of our incredible teacher, Messiah Yeshua. He is the Word of YHWH made flesh. He is our example of what it means to be "a light to the world." Yeshua completely fulfilled the Torah by bringing the utmost meaning to it in everyday circumstances. Parashat Kedoshim expanded the Ten Commandments to include activities part of everyday life. Yeshua elevated the commandments and looked at the heart motivation. We can read how He did this in His Sermon on the Mount and of course in His many parables throughout the Gospels.
 
The fundamental concept of holiness has to do with the nature and character of YHWH Elohim. He is beyond compare. It is this character trait emphasized in the throne room:
 
Revelation 4:8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Adonai Elohim Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!"
 
Isaiah 6:3 And one cried to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is YHWH of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!"
 
By our "conduct," we testify that we belong to YHWH. By our "conduct," we honor Him and bring glory to His Name in the eyes of the observer. By our "conduct" we shed light on His Holiness.
 
2 Timothy 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified (made holy) and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on Adonai out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.
 
1 Peter 1:14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."
 
And probably the one important reason for pursuing holiness:
 
1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of Elohim, your sanctification (process of being made holy)
 
Now, for some Israel news. While we often hear the stories of how the Palestinian Authority rewards terrorists for attacking Israel, the story of how they sometimes brutally torture their own citizens is not so well known - Palestinians tortured for saving Jews
 
And eye-witness accounts of diaspora Jews who joined the ranks to defend the fledgling nation - Defending Israel in 1948
 
Shabbat Shalom!
Ardelle