“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

“And you should love your fellowman as yourself.” (19:18)

If such is the obligation toward one fellow Israelite, then how vastly must we love the entire people of Hashem! This intense love for our people, and even for a single one of our nation, actually is included in the command of “You shall love Hashem your G-d with all your heart,” (Devarim 6:5) “for Hashem your G-d loves you,” (ibid. 23:6) and “I love you, said Hashem.” (Malachi 1:2) “Yes, I loved you with an everlasting love.” (Jeremiah 31:3)

The commandment “I am Hashem your G-d” (Shemot 20:2) means also “Think as I think!” If you love Me, you must love my people, and each individual of My people. This is included in the words “Holy shall you be, for I Hashem your G-d am holy,” which means that you should emulate Me. “And you should walk in His ways” (Devarim 28:9). The Holy Scriptures express the thoughts of Hashem (as He wishes to reveal to men); And these Scriptures speak solely about Hashem’s people and nothing else. Therefore this verse: “And you should love your fellowman as yourself” “is a great principle of the Torah” (Yerushalmi Nedarim 9:4) and is an essential corollary of “You shall love Hashem your G-d.”

When Hillel was approached by the perspective Ger who wished to learn the entire Torah in the same time that he would be able to stand on one foot, Hillel replied: “Do not do to your fellow that which you do not wish to be done to you, this is the entire Torah, and all else is commentary which you should learn” (Shabbat 31A). Hillel did not quote the first and most fundamental commandment “I am Hashem your G-d” (Shemot 20:2) which is certainly the most obligatory. But the most difficult to achieve, and in the area in which most of the tests in life occur, is the function of successful living with others. Thus when a family of Cohanim enters to serve in the Sanctuary, the group that is leaving say to the newcomers: “He that put His name upon this edifice should cause that among you should be love and brotherhood and peace and friendship” (Berachot 12A). It is most noteworthy that instead of blessing them that their service be performed with the utmost perfection, and the purest devotion of heart, they considered as most necessary to pray that Hashem assist them to maintain love toward their family members during the week that ensued. Because of the urgency of this commandment, the same words are said at the marriage rite: “Love and brotherhood and peace and friendship.” (Ketubot 8A)

Between a man and his wife, between neighbors and all of Israel, this is the most difficult and all inclusive commandment and is indeed an extremely “great principle of the Torah.” (Yerushalmi ibid.)

The Sacred Scriptures state clearly that the seed of Israel, meaning the loyal Jews of today and of all generations, are G-d beloved people (Devarim 7:8, 23:6, 1 Kings 10:9, Yeshaya 43:4, Yirmiya 31:2, II Chronicles 2:10, Malachi 1:2,,,) Those who choose to identify themselves with the loyal Jewish people are here intended. And when we endeavor to love them more, Hashem in like measure loves Us more. “And I shall bless those that bless you” (Beresheet 12:3).

Shabbat Shalom

“I am Hashem your G-D.” (18:2)

This expression, which is frequently reiterated, must not be overlooked because of its constant repetition. On the contrary, our utmost attention is solicited by the recurrence of these words. They actually declare the second most important principle in the entire Torah: Hashem is the G-d of Israel, and of them alone.

Indeed He is the Creator of the entire Universe which the name Hashem signifies: “He is the true Being, that causes all things to be,” and “His mercies are upon all of His works” (Tehillim 149:9). But His chief interest in the universe is the holy people of the seed of the Three Fathers (Abot). “Behold, to Hashem your G-d belong the heavens and the heavens above the heavens, the earth and all thereon. But solely in your Fathers did Hashem delight to love them, and He chose their seed after them, you from all the peoples” (Devarim 10:14-15).

Therefore the entire holy Scriptures, which portray Hashem’s thoughts as much as we are able to grasp, speak only about the children of Israel and their descendants.

The thunderous statement “I am Hashem your G-d, which is disturbing to the ears of the imitating religions and to all the nations, must be clearly heard by Hashem’s people. Therefore this second greatest principle of the Universe is repeated again and again in order that its supreme importance should be properly appreciated.

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

Shabbat Shalom