Thursday, April 22, 2010

Beyond Holiness

Achrei Mot - Kedoshim

וַיְדַבֵּר יְהוָה, אֶל-מֹשֶׁה, אַחֲרֵי מוֹת, שְׁנֵי בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן--בְּקָרְבָתָם לִפְנֵי-יְהוָה, וַיָּמֻתוּ.
and the LORD spoke unto Moses, after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they drew near before the LORD, and died ... Vayikra 16:1

These two Torah portions are filled with what to do and not to do to attain "holiness." Interestingly however, there is a madreigah beyond holiness and beyond the limits of these two Torah portions ... the existence of this mystery madreigah beyond holiness is hinted at in the next Torah portion, Emor ...

And the LORD said unto Moses: Speak unto the priests the sons of Aaron, and say unto them: There shall none defile himself for the dead among his people;

except for his kin, that is near unto him

Holiness has its limits. The mystery madreigah beyond holiness transcends those limits, with Divine blessing.