Torah Portion - May 1, 2009

Parshat Acharei Mot – Kedoshim 5/1/09

D'var Torah, Rabbi Mark Kram, Temple Beth Or, Miami, FL

This week the Jewish world experiences a two-day sequence of holidays and emotions in Israel.  Tuesday was Yom HaZikaron – Memorial Day for those lost throughout Israel's 61 year history to war and bloodshed.  The very next day is Yom Ha'atzma'ut – Israeli Independence Day.  Two drastically different emotions – tears, followed by joy.

In life, that's the point.  How Israel observes the two holidays back-to-back makes sense – for they ARE linked irrevocably as too often tears are followed by joy in our lives.  We cry, we mourn, we go through difficult times which are followed inevitably by joy.

Our double Torah portion reflects this as well.  "After the deaths of Aaron's two sons…" (Acharei Mot) when Nadav and Abihu brought an offering which God found unacceptable and were therefore killed, comes Kedoshim – the Holiness Code.  How do we move from death and mourning, to raising our lives up to God in holiness and in joy? 

We experience this rhythm of life and see it all around us.  We are comforted by others even as we comfort the mourners after a loss – knowing, though not necessarily "feeling" that these challenging times will also pass.  Good will come.

We can look to Israel – and try to share their sacrifice and devotion to our Jewish homeland – and also celebrate the awesome fact of Israel which we pray, will always be a beacon of hope for us.

Shabbat Shalom!

Mark