Questions on Parshas Kedoshim to think about and discuss:

1. Sometimes this parsha is joined with the previous parsha of Acherai Mos. The usual rule is that when two parshious are joined, we read the haftorah of the second one. Yet, the Rema (Shulchan Orach, O.C. 428:8) holds that for these two parshious the haftorah of the first parsha is read instead. (However, the Levush argues that it follows the normal rule that the second parsha’s haftorah is read.) Why is this week’s different to usual?
2. How many mitzvos are there in the parsha?
3. What mitzvos in the parsha apply nowadays?
4. How many mitzvos from this parsha can you think of that have to do with helping poor people?
5. How many of the mitzvos in Parshas Kedoshim do we come across in day to day living?
6. What is the connection between Parshas Acharei-Mos and Parshas Kedoshim?
7. What is a mitzvah in Parshas Kedoshim that stands out as being more central than others?

Ideas for answers:

1. The haftorah of the first parsha is read instead of the second parsha because the second parsha mentions abominations done by people in Yerushalayim and we prefer to avoid mentioning this. Therefore when we have this option when the parsha is paired with the previous week’s we read the other haftorah, that of Parshas Acherai Mos and not Kedoshim’s. (See the Machatzis Hashekel for an explanation of the argument between the Rema and Levush.)
2. Parshas Kedoshim, according to the Sefer Hachinuch, has fifty-one mitzvos. These consist of thirteen positive mitzvos and thirty-eight negative mitzvos. Forty of them apply nowadays and the majority of them equally apply to women.
4. Poor people usually are left to their own devices in society. However, the Torah requires every Jew to fell responsible to assist their poor brethren. This is seen elsewhere with the requirement of Maaser money, a tenth of one’s income to be given to the poor. We find in Parshas Kedoshim caring for the poor in different ways. This is found by the farmer when collecting his produce. (The first three years he must leave alone the produce, known as Orla (ibid, 19:23) and the fourth year takes it to be eaten in Yerushalayim (ibid, 19:23-24). He must not have grafted any produce (ibid, 19:19).) The farmer must leave a corner of his field and vineyard for the poor (ibid, 19:9-10). When cutting the produce and some fall down, if it is one or two stalks of produce, or one or two grapes, then he must leave it for the poor (ibid, 19:9-10), while if it is three or more the owner can take them for himself. All these come with a positive and negative mitzva.
5. On a day to day basis we come across lots of mitzvos mentioned in Parshas Kedoshim. For those with parents, there is the positive mitzva to fear them (Vayikra, 19:3) and not curse them (ibid. 20:9). When shopping or somewhere other than your house, to resist the temptation of stealing (ibid. 19:11) or extorting (ibid. 19:13). When asked for advice, to not intentionally give bad advice or assist a friend doing a sin (ibid. 19:14). Instead a real friend will rebuke him gently and not embarrass anyone (ibid. 19:17). Be careful not to take revenge or even bear inside a grudge (ibid. 19:18) or speak badly about other people (ibid. 19:16) but instead be Don Likaf Zechus, judge them favourably (ibid, 19:15). Also, not to hate them (ibid. 19:17) but instead to love every other Jew (ibid. 19:18). Not to be badly influenced by the gentile environment and follow their customs (ibid. 20:23). To stand up respectfully for elderly and scholarly people (ibid, 19:32).
6. Rabbeiny BeChai says that after saying the forbidden relationships Parshas Kedoshim starts of saying to be careful to do what is allowed and this will result in kedusha, holiness.
7. Rashi (19:18) brings that Rabbi Akiva says that the mitzvah of “Loving your friend like yourself” is a rule in the Torah.

Did you know…

• What mitzva in Parshas Kedoshim is counted as a mitzva without knowingly doing any action? This is the mitzva of Shikcha whereby simply forgetting the bundle in the field already changes ownership from the field owner to the poor people! (A similar instance occurs when a person drops money in the street and it ends up being picked up by a poor person. This is considered tzdoka since money itself in the road has no siman and therefore does not halachically require the mitzva of Hashovas Aveida, returning the lost money. Since ultimately the benefactor (albeit unwillingly) is the person who dropped the money, he gets the reward of fulfilling the mitzva of tzodaka.)
• Great people (brought in some siddurim) would before davening Shachris declare the acceptance of Veohavta lirayacha komoicha (Kedoishim, 19:18). The reason is that we find the Shemona Esra brochos are said in the plural. Tefillous of a tzibbur are heard much more than individuals. Additionally, if there is any hatred between fellow Jews this can stop the tefillous being accepted. (This follows on from the bedtime shema when we mention about forgiving any Jew who sinned against you. The beginning and end of the day are about Jews uniting! A similar idea is that Adon Olam is said at the beginning of davening and also at the bedtime shema. Here we are accepting upon ourselves Hashem as the Odoin, Master of the world.)
• Every time you enter a shul you can do the mitzva of Mikdoshi Tiraoo, to fear the Beis Hamikdosh (Kedoishim, 19:30) since shuls are called a Mikdosh Miat. (Chofetz Chaim, Sefer Hamitzvos Hakotzer, Asai 18.) It is also there that you are most likely to encounter elderly people and talmidei chachomim and can then do the mitzva of (ibid, 19:32) Mipnei Saiva Tokum.