Transcript
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Hello everyone. We've reached the
Haftorah [music] of Parshat Acharei Mot
Kedoshim.
This week's Haftorah carries within it a
very great principle.
It reminds us of our responsibility as a
chosen [music] people and the deep
binding connection between us and God.
A connection that doesn't start today,
but has accompanied us since the Exodus
[music] from Egypt.
And now to the content of the Haftorah.
The prophet describes a situation where
the elders of Israel come, as it were,
>> [music]
>> to seek the Lord, to ask, to understand,
to receive answers.
They sit before the prophet [music] out
of a desire to draw closer, but here
comes a surprising answer.
God says, "Are you coming to seek me?"
>> [music]
>> The mere act of reaching out isn't
always enough.
There's a deeper demand here, not just
[music] to ask, but to live correctly.
God wants to remind them of history, not
just [music] to tell a story, but to
awaken them to understand where they
stand.
He goes back to the beginning, to the
choosing of the people of Israel.
Even in Egypt, God chose us, revealed
himself to us, and promised to be our
God.
He brought us out of the land of Egypt,
from a place of impurity and idolatry,
>> [music]
>> and led us to a good land.
A land flowing with milk and honey.
But along with this choice [music] came
a demand to leave the evil ways,
to distance ourselves from the
influences of Egypt, [music] not to be
drawn after idolatry.
God says clearly, "Cast away everything
that defiles you.
>> [music]
>> Choose the clean path."
However, the Jewish people didn't always
[music] live up to this.
Both while in Egypt and afterwards, not
everyone abandoned idolatry.
>> [music]
>> There were those who continued to hold
on to the wrong things.
This is a very serious situation,
[music]
to receive goodness from God while
simultaneously remaining tied to
opposite things.
God describes how by law there was
reason to punish them even then, but in
practice, he refrained from it. [music]
Why so?
Not because it's deserved, but for the
sake of my name, so that [music] the
name of God would not be desecrated in
the eyes of the nations.
Meaning, there is [music] a conduct of
mercy even when the situation is not
perfect.
Later, God brings the Jewish people of
Israel out of Egypt [music] and leads
them into the desert.
There, he gives them the Torah, laws and
statutes [music] that are the path to
true life.
Not just a system of laws, but a way of
life that brings a person true spiritual
life.
And he shall live by them.
In addition, Shabbat is given as a
special sign between the creator of the
world and the Jewish nation.
>> [music]
>> Shabbat is not just a day of rest, but a
sign of connection, of holiness, of our
identity as a people. [music]
It reminds us who we are and to whom we
belong.
But even in the desert, despite all the
miracles and divine providence, [music]
the Jewish people didn't always follow
the right path.
There were those who rejected the laws,
failed to keep the statutes, [music] and
desecrated Shabbat.
Once again, we see that same gap. On one
hand, a great closeness to God, and on
the other, a distancing through their
actions.
Even here by law, they could have been
destroyed.
But again, the Almighty acts with mercy
and preserves them for his name's sake.
>> [music]
>> This teaches us just how deep this
connection is, even when there are
setbacks.
The Almighty never gives up.
Later, there's an appeal to the next
generation,
>> [music]
>> the children.
God tells them clearly, "Do not follow
the ways of the previous generation when
they are wrong. Do not repeat their
mistakes."
There's [music] a very powerful message
here about personal responsibility.
Every generation must choose [music] its
own path anew.
The instruction is clear, "Walk in God's
laws, keep the statutes, [music] and put
them into practice."
Not just knowing what's right, but
actually living it.
And once again, Shabbat [music] is
emphasized.
To keep it, to sanctify it, and to
understand that it's a sign of our
connection with the Almighty.
The overall message of the Haftorah is
very sharp and clear.
>> [music]
>> It's not enough to just ask questions or
seek answers on a superficial level.
>> [music]
>> God wants a life of truth, and he
reminds us where we came from,
what we've received, and what's expected
[music] of us.
There is both a warning and hope here.
A warning not to repeat past [music]
mistakes, not to be swayed by foreign
influences, and not to compromise on
holiness.
>> [music]
>> And hope that even if there were
failures, God doesn't give up on the
Jewish nation. [music]
He continues to lead with mercy and
continues calling us to return to
[music] him.
Ultimately, the Haftorah calls us to
reflect.
Are we only seeking God with our words,
or are we also living according to his
will?
Are [music] we sticking to wrong habits,
or are we choosing a new path?
>> [music]
>> It's a call to strengthen our faith, to
keep the Torah and commandments, and
above all, to find a true, deep inner
connection with the Almighty.
