As Heard From Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

“You shall be holy for I Hashem Your G-d am holy.” 19:2

Fundamentally this means: “Think as I Think.” The most important part of the personality is the mind. Therefore we can most effectively emulate the holiness of Hashem by means of emulating His thoughts. Everything in the Torah is an example of Hashem’s thoughts, as He wishes us to think. Therefore we study His words in order to acquire (what He shows us to be) His attitudes.

He regards Man as “the image of G-d” (Beresheet 1:27), and we should train our minds to think likewise.

He considers the people of Israel as His sons (Devarim 14:1), and we must gain that same attitude.

He desires kindliness (Shemot 36:6; Michah 7:18) and so should we.

He hates immorality (Sanhedrin 93A), and so should we.

He considers His world as “Very Good” (Beresheet 1:31), and so should we.

“And before a blind man you shall not put a stumbling-block” 19:14

Even unintentionally. Thus this verse admonishes against leaving objects in places where persons could be caused to fall, or leaving small objects or medicines that little children may ingest. At night, all people are unable to see the stumbling block which you leave on the sidewalk.

This Mitzvah includes the countless ways by which men cause hazards to the safety of their fellowmen. Carelessness is not excused, and a man is answerable for whatever harm he causes to others and their property by his negligence or breach of circumspection.

Included in this is the matter of wrong advice. Just as the unthinking man is held responsible for casting a fruit peel on the sidewalk, so is he held responsible for careless advice that could be a stumbling block, even worse than a peel on the street.

Quoted from A Kingdom of Cohanim by Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

Shabbat Shalom

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