03 May SHABBOS IS IN THE AIR: MISSION NOT IMPOSSIBLE

We are now in the midst of Sefira. Counting the days between Pesach and Shavuos. Anticipating Kabbolas HaTorah, once again saying Na’aseh V’nishmah, we will do and we will listen.

The count is so much more than just a tally of days. We count upwards, one through forty-nine. Each day striving to reach new heights, both in our relationships with others, and in our connection to HaShem.

It is no coincidence that during these days, we read Parshas Kedoshim. Kedoshim, to be a holy, sanctified people. Kedoshim, to live our lives as an “ohr l’goyim, a light onto the nations”.

The parshah opens with HaShem instructing Moshe to speak to “Kol adas Bnei Yisroel, the entire assembly of the Jewish nation.” (Vayikra 19:2) To relay the message of “Kedoshim tehiyu, to be a holy people”. The mission statement of Am Yisroel.

We may think that to be a kodosh is reserved for a select few. For those with high and lofty neshamos. For those who are learned and pious. But the Torah says otherwise. The mandate of kedoshim tehiyu was proclaimed to kol adas, the entire nation. Not just Moshe and Aaron. Not just the Kohanim, zekeinim (elders) or nesiim (princes). Everyone was included. No one is too young or too old. Too learned or too simple. Too rich or too poor. We can all live our lives as kedoshim, sanctifying HaShem’s name wherever we go, whatever we do.

How is this possible? We say every day in our morning prayers, “Elokai, neshamah shenosatoh bee, tehorah hee, HaShem, the soul that you have given me is pure. … Atah nefachtah bee, You breathed it into me”. It is the spirit of HaShem within that enables us to live a life of sanctity. To reach the greatest heights of kedusha. We have the potential, we just have to use the tools given to us by HaShem to actualize it.

We speak of kedoshim, the holy ones who died throughout our long history al Kiddush HaShem, sanctifying the name of HaShem. But each one of us has the opportunity to live al Kiddush HaShem, to conduct our lives in a way that brings honor and respect to HaShem’s name.

Being a kodosh doesn’t require a world-changing event. Sometimes it comes from little every day, routine acts.

I am reminded of the time I took some of my grandchildren for ice cream. It was a hot summer day. I paid without glancing at the bill. As we were walking back to the car, my eight-year-old granddaughter did a quick mental calculation. She figured out that the cashier did not add the additional charge for the sprinkles on top.

We returned to the store, drippy ice cream cones in hand. I told the cashier who rung us up, and he promptly told us to “just forget it”. But my granddaughter insisted. He couldn’t believe her honesty. In her own little way, she made a Kiddush HaShem.

When we live our lives as kedoshim, we are the beneficiaries. It shapes and molds us. We become better people. We learn honesty and integrity. Kindness and compassion. Love and understanding. Patience and tolerance. We elevate our very being.

Yes, to live as a kodosh leaves an impression on those around us – but has an effect on us as well.

Rav Avigdor Miller, zt”l compares the neshamah to potter’s clay. The artisan works on it. He can shape it, smooth it and perfect it as long as it is soft. However, once the product is put into the kiln, it hardens, and is no longer malleable.

So it is with our neshamos. HaShem gives us the gift of time. Each day bringing with it opportunities. Like the potter, we can shape, form, and perfect. We are the artisans of our souls. But our time is limited. Each moment is a chance to be a living Kiddush HaShem.

Especially now during Sefira, we should seize every opportunity we have to elevate ourselves through our personal interrelationships, and our daily conduct at home, in the workplace, when shopping or even when strolling in the park – wherever life takes us.

We study Pirkei Avos every Shabbos from Pesach to Shavuos. Six chapters for six weeks. A study of living as a kodosh. The best “pre-Shavuos prep”. We continue studying Pirkei Avos during the long Shabbosos of the summer, as we prepare ourselves for Chodesh Elul and the Yemei Hadin, the Days of Judgment.

Avos, our spiritual fathers, our teachers. Rabbi Akiva was one of them, teaching us many great life lessons. One of which is, “V’ahavtah l’rayachah kamochah, to love your fellow as yourself.” This teaching can be found in this week’s Parshas Kedoshim (Vayikra 19:18). In fact, Rashi on this posuk comments, “So says Rabbi Akiva. This is a fundamental principle in the Torah.” The Kopitchnitz Rebbe, zt”l adds, that the commandment to love your fellow it not limited to loving holy and pious people, who are easy to love. Rather, HaShem is telling us to love everyone – even those whom we may find it difficult to love.

The Maharal notes that from Pesach to Lag B’Omer we count 32 days. Thirty-two is the gematria of both lev, heart, and kavod, respect. During these days of Sefira, we should internalize the lesson of Rabbi Akiva. A lesson of showing love and respect to others.

My father, HaRav Meshulem ben HaRav Osher Anshil HaLevi, zt”l was already very ill when he gave his final Shabbos drasha to the mispallelim of his shul. He spoke of how he had been their rov for thirty-two years. Thirty-two years of giving his heart to the community. During the shiva, we learned of his many quiet acts of chesed.

A family came to be menachem ovel with their little girl. They were quiet simple people. The daughter made her way to my mother and started crying. “Who will help me with my homework?” We couldn’t understand. Then her mother explained. “The Rabbi convinced us to give our daughter a Yeshiva education. Something we never had. Neither my husband nor I are able to help with Hebrew homework. The Rabbi came every night, saying it was his pleasure.”

Kedoshim tehiyu. V’ahavtah l’rayachah kamochah. To show love and respect to every being. To honor the G-dly neshamah in each person, thereby creating a true Kiddush HaShem.

Shabbat Shalom.