Dvar Torah – Parashat Achrei Mot – Kedoshim
Dedicated in memory of Yaakov ben Avraham and Sarah Aharonov z”l
The parshiot of Achrei Mot and Kedoshim discuss mitzvot whose significance is not clear in a physical or logical way. Many of the ideas deal with the essence of the Torah, among which include the passuk:
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֤ם אֶת־חֻקֹּתַי֙ וְאֶת־מִשְׁפָּטַ֔י אֲשֶׁ֨ר יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה אֹתָ֛ם הָאָדָ֖ם וָחַ֣י בָּהֶ֑ם אֲנִ֖י ה’׃
“You shall keep My laws and My rules, by which human beings shall act and live through them: I am Hashem.”
The meaning of “וָחַ֣י בָּהֶ֑ם” has been interpreted in various ways.
Commentators such as the Rashbam explain these words in a very straightforward way, describing “וָחַ֣י בָּהֶ֑ם” as the reward for keeping the Torah. Performing mitzvot rewards man with life. Other commentators maintain a similar understanding but believe that man is rewarded in the World to Come. Rashi, for example, states that the reward must be given in the World to come, because all life in this world comes to an end. How can life end if it”s the reward for keeping Torah and Mitzvot? The reward must be in the world to come.
Rabbi Yitzchak Meir Alter of Gur, the founder of Gur Chassidut, understands the Torah as a source of life. Mitzvot provide the fuel for people to live. The inspiration, motivation, and direction we take in life come from the Torah. Hashem put us on earth with an instruction manual so that we can make the most of his creation.
The most famous interpretation of “וָחַ֣י בָּהֶ֑ם” is brought down in the Gemara (Yoma 85) that prioritizes life over the laws of Shabbat. Rav Yehuda, in the name of Shmuel, quotes this Passuk and teaches: “live through them and not die through them.”
By this logic, the Torah is implying that in a life threatening situation, saving a life comes even at the expense of its own laws, specifically those related to Shabbat. The gemara then quotes Rava who refuted the many other proofs brought to support such an idea. This explanation for suspending the laws of Shabbat in order to preserve life, however, satisfies him.
The ideal fulfillment of “וָחַ֣י בָּהֶ֑ם” would benefit from a combination of these three approaches. The gemara shows us how connected the Torah is to life. They don”t stand independent of each other. The Torah depends on life to be fulfilled. Life depends on the Torah for navigation, and life is granted for the sake of Torah.
May we all merit to see the holiness in our everyday endeavors and live our lives to the fullest.
Mordechai Hadad is a former Shaliach in Montreal (2016-17), currently studying Psychology and Education at Ariel University For comments: mjhadad18@gmail.com
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