Parsha Talk Acharei Mot-Kedoshim 2026 5786

Parashat Acharei Mot-Q’doshim [Leviticus 16-20] includes, according to Rabbi Aqiva, the great principle of the Torah [Lev. 19:18], “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”. This verse is actually the second half of the verse, which begins with the injunction to not take vengeance or bear a grudge against members of your people, which in turn is preceded by the command to not hate your kinsmen in your heart but to reprove them and not bear sin on their account. The syntax here is a little confusing, but the sense seems to be that the reproof will prevent you from committing the sins of vengeance or bearing a grudge. Since we recorded on the afternoon of Yom Ha’Atzma’ut, we spent a lot of time talking about Israel and our connection to the land and the people. Please let us know your thoughts! Shabbat Shalom!!