This week we have another double Torah portion, Achrei Mot and Kedoshim.
The first portion means after the death and alludes to the time after the death of the sons of Aaron.
Kedoshim, the second portion, talks about holiness.
Kaddosh means holy.
There is a cynical statement that plays on the juxtaposition of these two portions.
After death, all is holy.
In other more understandable words, after one passes away, we remember that person as “holy”, someone who could do no wrong.
At a funeral we always laud the deceased, it seems that here lies a holy person, we will never focus on any lacking or deficiency.
The Torah portions are teaching us a deeper message.
In order to live life, one must be holy. So that after one has passed from this world they have not only become the best version of themselves, they have used their unique strengths and talents so make this world a better place.
After the death, holiness is left behind.
The portion of Kedoshim is replete with Mitzvot to help us attain holiness.
You might be surprised to learn that the 51 commandments listed are those that regulate behavior between people so that we can refine and improve ourselves to become a holy person in the image of Gd. They include giving gifts to the poor, refinement of language and behavior, honesty in business dealings and the ultimate loving one’s neighbor as oneself.
These are commandments that are intertwined in warp and woof of the tapestry of life.
The Torah teaches that holiness does not result from asceticism or distance from the physical world. Rather we are meant to be fully involved in the physical but use it as a stepping stone to spirituality.
One of the commandments is the injunction not to curse a deaf person.
At first blush, this commandment seems somewhat unnecessary.
If one curses a deaf person, they will perforce not hear it.
Why should one be commanded in such a matter?
Our Sages teach us that the injured party in this equation is actually the one who does the cursing.
The deaf person is not injured, they cannot hear.
But the one who does the cursing debases themselves, allowing themselves to sink so low as to insult a defenseless person. This takes a chunk of humanity out of the person who is slinging the insults and distances that person from Gdliness, from the essence of the portion of Gd that rests within.

The idea of being holy has many practical implications.
Sivan Rahav Meir, Israeli correspondent shared a recent tragic story.
This past Saturday night a funeral took place in Jerusalem. An announcement was made that a young woman, a convert, who had made Aliya alone from her native Poland, had passed away and there was no one to attend her funeral. The notices went out on WhatsApp and hundreds came to accompany Abigail on her final journey.
It came to light that Abigail was very alone on her last days, she had fallen ill, passed away, and it took four days till she was found.
One of the Rabbis who eulogized her apologized to her and said she is teaching us a profound lesson. We need to be careful to see people who may be transparent, we need to become more sensitive to those who need our attention. There is no limit to time and attention people need -everyone needs to be seen and receive attention, but especially those who are vulnerable and alone.
That is what this week’s Torah portion is mandating.
Pay attention.
Look for those who need a home, a physical one or an emotional place to be welcomed, look for the Abigail’s in your life and attend to them.
After the death of Abigail, we can learn to better better people.
That’s holy.
The stories in Israel of our incredible soldiers and the impact they have made continue to inspire.
Maoz Fenigstein was 25 when he was killed fighting in Gaza.
When he was young, Maoz and his family lived in Canada. One of his former classmates, Eliana, heard of Maoz’s tragic death and decided to do something in his memory. She gathered her class and they purchased copies of Mesilat Yesharim, a book which practically instructs one on how to live a holy life. They were going to disseminate the books and study in Maoz’s memory.
One of the former clasdmates, Benji, reached out to Eliana to help her with the project. Despite being in school together for 12 years, they had not been friends, but they bonded over Maoz and this project.
This collaboration came to a new level as Eliana and Benji recently got married.
Their pursuit of holiness after the tragic death of their friend brought them to marriage,
which by no coincidence is called Kedushin, a relationship built on holiness.
After the death of the holy Maoz the pursuit of holiness brought a joyful union.
At this time we continue to pray for the complete recovery of 15 year old Yona Ben Shayna Rivka, Batsheva’s nephew , a precious, holy young man who is fighting for his life. So many mitzvot, good deeds and prayers are happening in his merit.
Yoni has been meticulous in the practice of laying Tefillin since his Bat Mitzva. Shayna, Batsheva’s sister shared this in various forums and it was brought to the attention of a young man who had not wrapped Tefillin in many years. He was so moved by Yoni’s personal commitment so he decided to wrap Tefillin for Yoni, a mitzva in Yoni’s merit.
May all these mitzvot continue to accrue in his merit.
We continue to pray for Yoni’s complete and speedy recovery!
Shabbat Shalom and so much love!
PS. Thank you to all of you who have participated in JWCAtlanta’s Ignite a Soul Campaign. Your support allows us to continue to build a spiritually striving community of women. We are deeply grateful for your support.
For those who would like to participate here is the link.
Thank you all so much!
https://www.jwcatlanta.org/ignite