This week we have another double Torah portion. Acharei Mot and Kedoshim. The first means after the death. The second means holy ones.
There is an old joke that my Dad zl used to say.
Acharei Mot-Kedoshim.
Which means that human nature has a tendency to whitewash the mistakes of someone who has passed on.
So after the death-Kedoshim, they are only remembered as holy ones.
Ok. Not his best.
This week I had an experience which completely changed my understanding of the phrase that has been created by the juxtaposition of two names of Torah portions.
Acharei Mot speaks about working through atonement specifically via Yom Kippur and its particular service. Yom Kippur is a time when we face the mistakes we have made and strive to atone. The soul is pure but a human being errs. How do use these missteps to help us grow and be more connected.
That is the essence of holiness. Taking the steps to be connected to the Divine. Within each of us resides a spark of Gdliness. Our job in this world is to fan that spark and to become more Gdly.
How does one accomplish such a feat?
The Torah portion of Kedoshim gives us 51 commandments to help us become holy.
The Torah portion of Kedoshim is 64 verses and it packs a powerful punch as it is loaded with these 51 commandments which direct us how to become moral and ethical people.
In a word - Gdly.
Topics covered in this pursuit of Gdliness include not perverting justice, not gossiping, employment of accurate weights and measures -being honest in business, rising before the elderly, love your neighbor as yourself, and do not hate and do not take revenge
Holiness is bred by having upright standards between people.
“Holiness wanders throughout our life, touching on the myriad pursuits of our day to day existence”. Rabbi R. Tradburks.
It is an uplifting thought. We can turn our daily actions into holy pursuits and that fans the sparks of Gdliness.
This is a lovely and inspirational aspiration. The Torah knows we can step up and gives us directions on how to access our intrinsic holiness.
It’s accessible to us all.

Let me ask you 4 questions!
1. How did we eat so much?
2. ⁠Why am I finding Matza crumbs in every nook and cranny of my house?
3. ⁠Will my washing machine survive the many loads of linen it must disgorge?
4. After so much shopping, cooking, cleaning and preparation-how did it pass so quickly?
You may feel the need to remind me that the season of asking 4 Questions has passed, no pun intended.
But I am loath to see it go, so I am holding on to this modality for just a little longer.
Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi teaches us about these feelings.
After major holidays we seem to feel this sense of sadness.
It’s a hard time as we separate from the family time that was so much fun and so connecting, it was a time of creating such closeness.
And just like that, it’s over, with only the Matza crumbs and linens to tell the tale.
We also experienced a spiritual closeness. As we engaged in the holiday we shared wisdom and inspiration and teachings we learned and had the opportunity to share.
That experience provided hope and uplift.
And now it’s done.
How do we “climb back up on that hope”?
This week’s Torah portion is called Acharei Mot, which means after the death, details the aftermath of the terrible loss Aaron the High Priest experienced with the loss of his two sons.
It is a huge disappointment at the beginning of a time of potential closeness with the dedication of the Tabernacle.
At this time, Aaron is taught that he may not enter the Tabernacle at his own whim.
This seems to be a rejection, a further removal or distancing of any closeness.
Not only has Aaron lost his precious children, he also seems to be suffering rejection by Gd as well.
It seems to add insult to injury. But then the Torah explains in the next verse how Aaron will be able to enter the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle-when he will do the prescribed service, offer prayers and once again create close connection.
It seems that Aaron will first feel that he is lacking, but when he will engage in the service of connection he will receive the key to enter.
One may feel the lack of closeness, but don’t give up, try knocking on the door until it opens.
This coming Shabbat, the one immediately after Passover, there is a custom to bake one’s challah in the shape of a key.
Here is a hack to achieve the same result, take a key, wrap it tightly in silver foil, and bake it into the Challah.
Another hack is to buy frozen dinner rolls and place them in a round pan, a few rolls surrounding one in the center, bury the key in a roll and Voila-Key Challah!
Either way it can surely be the source of questions from the children, remember we are trying to hold onto that Passover feeling!!
Some sprinkle poppy seeds on the Challah to remind us of the manna that began falling in the desert at around this time.
This custom reminds us that our sustenance is unlocked by a Divine source. We need to earn our bread but there is nothing like the vagaries of earning a livelihood to remind us of the need for heavenly assistance.
Rabbanit Yemima adds another dimension.