Parshat Acharei Mos Kedoshim 5781
Rabbi Jablinowitz
We read in the first of this week’s parshiyot (Chapter 18, Pasuk 3), K’Ma’aseh Eretz Mitzrayim Asher Yeshavtem Bah Lo Sa’asu. You should not copy the actions of the Egyptians that you dwelled in their midst. And the pasuk continues, U’Ke’Ma’asei Eretz Cana’an Asher Ani Mavi Eschem Shamah Lo Sa’asu; you should not act in the ways of the people of Cana’an, whose land I am bringing you to. Rashi explains that the reason these nations, Mitzrayim and Cana’an, are singled out is because they were more depraved, Mekulkalim Yoseir, than all the other nations.
The Maharal asks, if this is so, then why are they being singled out? It seems as if the Torah is prohibiting specifically the awful cultures of Mitzrayim and Cana’an; but other nations whose culture is less despicable you can follow. And this is certainly not correct!
The Maharal answers by teaching that rather than stressing the depravity of Mitzrayim and Cana’an, the pasuk is stressing the holiness of Clal Yisrael. The Torah says don’t follow the ways of Mitzrayim that you dwelled in their midst, but then I took you out. Hashem took us out of Egypt because we couldn’t stay in Egypt; Yisrael is diametrically opposed to Mitzrayim and couldn’t coexist in the same land. This is because the holiness of Yisrael couldn’t be contained within Mitzrayim. And Bnei Yisrael entered Eretz Yisrael and replaced the people of Cana’an, because Eretz Yisrael can’t stand the culture of Cana’an. It vomits them out, as we read in the end of the parsha (Chapter 18, Pasuk 28), Ka’asher Ka’ah es the Ha’Goy Asher Lifneichem, like it spit out the nation that was there before you. And as Rashi explains on this pasuk, Eretz Yisrael Einah Me’Kayemes Ovrei Averiah; Eretz Yisrael doesn’t maintain those who sin. If Bnei Yisrael are replacing the people of Cana’an, this is an indication of their spiritual greatness.
The Sfas Emes asks also doesn’t think the Torah is stressing the need to warn Bnei Yisrael about doing the ways of Mitzrayim and Cana’an, but he learns a different p’shat in the pasuk, He points out that the Torah doesn’t warn about Ma’aseh Mitzrayim; rather it warns about K’Ma’aseh Eretz Mitzrayim, doing things similar to the ways of Mitzrayim.
The Sfas Emes teaches that the way of the nations is to act as a result of desire and temptation. We eat because we are hungry, we speak words which will make us feel good; everything people do is in order to receive some temporal pleasure and satisfaction in this world. But this temporary benefit should not be the goal of a Jew.
The Pasukim in this short section illustrate a goal for our lifestyle. Firstly, our actions need to be mitzvos, following the decrees of Hashem. As the next pasuk says, Es Mishpatai Ta’asu V’Es Chukosai Tishmeru, you shall follow my Chukim and Mishpatim. But what is my goal? Laleches Bahem; I need to move forward when I keep mitzvos. These words indicate that following mitzvos are necessary to keep growing; I don’t keep mitzvos just in order to fulfill my obligations. Rather as Chazal teach (Avos, Chapter 4, Mishnah 2), Mitzvah Goreres Mitzvah, one mitzvah brings one to the next; Sechar Mitzvah, Mitzvah, the ultimate reward of a mitzvah is having the opportunity to perform another mitzvah.
This is how we distinguish ourselves with Mitzrayim and Cana’an. The goals of our actions shouldn’t be K’Ma’aseh Eretz Mitzrayim, like the considerations of the Egyptians and other nations. They act according to the instant and immediate gratification and pleasure they receive. We, however, need to act towards spiritual growth. We think ahead of where this action will ultimate lead us rather than focusing on how it makes me feel right now.
And the next pasuk, the last pasuk in this section, teaches us what our ultimate goal is meant to be. Va’Chai Bahem; our actions and our mitzvos need to give us Chiyus. We need to always look towards a meaningful and eternal life. We want to be close to Hashem. And when we do mitzvos, it should be with an eye towards Laleches Bahem, moving up to the next level and the next mitzvah. Our goal is not to exempt ourselves and be finished so we can rest. We need to always consider our next actions; how we can maximize their effect and create growth and eternal life.
Good Shabbos
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