Kedoshim
Leviticus 19:1 – 20:27
God commands Moses to address the entire congregation of Israel with the charge: 'You shall be holy, for I Hashem your God am holy.' What follows is a sweeping code of ethical and ritual laws — revering parents, keeping Shabbat, leaving the corners of the field for the poor, dealing justly in business, and the foundational command to 'love your neighbor as yourself.' The parasha insists that holiness is not confined to the Temple but permeates every aspect of daily life. Chapter 20 prescribes penalties for violations of these laws, particularly idolatry and sexual immorality.
Key figures
- Moses — Addresses the entire congregation with God's call to holiness
- God — Source of the holiness imperative, declaring 'I am Hashem' throughout
Famous verses
- 19:2 Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: You shall be holy; for I Hashem your God am holy.
- 19:18 You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am Hashem.
- 19:32 You shall rise up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the old man, and you shall fear your God: I am Hashem.
Haftarah: {'ref': 'Ezekiel 22:1-19', 'connection': "Ezekiel catalogues Jerusalem's offenses — the bloodshed, sexual transgressions, and oppression that Kedoshim's holiness code forbids — warning of the consequences of national defilement."}
Total gematria 252,144 is divisible by 18, the number of life (chai).