By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal
SAN DIEGO — In the middle of Vayikra, the Book of Leviticus, with its long, detailed, and arcane descriptions of Israel’s ancient sacrificial rite, we are caught short by the appearance of parashat Kedoshim. Parashat Kedoshim speaks not of Priests, altars, and sacrifices, but of Godliness and holiness: “You shall be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy.”
In parashat Kedoshim we find moral and ethical laws by which Jews should live if we wish to reflect God’s holiness, goodness, and love in our everyday lives:
“You shall not defraud your fellow. You shall not commit robbery. The wages of a laborer shall not remain with you until morning.” (Lev. 19:13)
“You shall not hate your kinsfolk in your heart. Reprove your kinsman but incur no guilt because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against your countrymen. Love your fellow as yourself: I am the Lord.” (Lev. 19:17)
“You shall rise before the aged and show deference to the old; you shall fear your god: I am the Lord.” (Lev. 19:32)
If you look in a traditional mahzor (High Holy Day prayer book) you will notice that on Yom Kippur afternoon the section of the Torah which is read is chapter 18 of Leviticus. Leviticus 18 is a long list of prohibited incestuous sexual relationships. (“Do not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife; it is the nakedness of your father,” etc. [Lev. 18:8]) It seems a strange section of the Torah to read on our holiest day of the year.
According to Mahzor Lev Shalem (the new High Holy Day prayer book I am hoping we will adopt): “A public recitation of the rules that define and protect the family was deemed important on this day – when the entire community gathered for prayer and reflection. For our generation, this recitation takes on additional meaning as an opportunity to think about the rules that should govern our sexual lives.” (Mahzor Lev Shalem, p. 363
While appropriate sexual behavior is an important topic for Judaism to address, many argue that this section of the Torah does not seem the best choice for the Day of Atonement. Many mahzorim now include Lev. 19, the “holiness” chapter described above, as an alternative reading for Yom Kippur afternoon. This is the section of the Torah we read in the synagogue, as well. It fits the mood and meaning of the day much better.
After confessing our sins to God, apologizing to those we have wronged, and committing ourselves to living holier lives, I believe the best way to begin the New Year is by studying what our tradition says is the way we must live in order to bring ourselves closer to God.
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Rabbi Rosenthal is spiritual leader of Tifereth Israel Synagogue in San Diego. He may be contacted at leonard.rosenthal@sdjewishworld.com