RR Acharei Mot – Kedoshim Leviticus 18:1-20:27 By Jeffery Freeman
Shabbat Shalom,
This week we have another double portion. The total number of portions in the Torah reading cycle is 54, which reflects the maximum number of readings for a leap year (a year containing two months of Adar). In non-leap years, some of the portions are combined so that the entire Torah is read every year.
Acharei Mot translates to “after the death,” referring to the deaths of Aaron’s two sons Nadab and Abihu. Kedoshim translates to “holy,” from Leviticus 19:2 when ADONAI speaks to the people through Moses saying, “You shall be kedoshim (holy), for I ADONAI your God am holy (kedosh).” Kedoshim is the plural form of kedosh. The “you” is the plural form in Hebrew, so the plural for kedosh is used, then when referring to ADONAI the singular form is used.
So, what does it mean to be kedosh, “holy?” The dictionary meaning is to be consecrated, moral, sacred, godly, pious, set apart, etc. If we accept these ideas for demonstrating holiness, (I do), how does the Bible instruct us in leading a life among the kedoshim?
Leviticus 11:44 Therefore sanctify yourselves, and be holy, for I am holy. You are not to defile yourselves with any kind of creeping thing that moves on the earth. ADONAI is referring to the kosher laws concerning most bugs.
Leviticus 11:44 I am ADONAI who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God. Therefore, you shall be holy, for I am holy. Following this statement there are instructions about distinguishing between unclean and clean animals.
After a preamble about not offering children as sacrifices to an evil entity, dealing with mediums, soothsayers and the like, Leviticus 20:7-8 says Consecrate yourselves and be holy, for I am ADONAI your God. You are to keep my statutes and do them.
Verse 8 is key to understanding what it means to be holy. It isn’t enough to “keep” God’s commandments. You know, the ones in that dusty old Book kept on the shelf, only rarely opened. It means to actively use the contents of that Book every day.
1 Peter 1:14-16 Do not be shaped by the cravings you had formally in your ignorance. Instead, just like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in everything you do. For it is written, “Kedoshim you shall be, for I am kedosh...”
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Psalm 119:9-10 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your Word. With my whole heart have I sought you – let me not stray from your mitzvot.
Too often today we fail ADONAI’s commands without even realizing what we are doing.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 talks about allowing darkness or lawlessness into our lives…What agreement does God’s Temple have with idols?...Come out from among them, and be separate, says ADONAI…
1 Peter 2:8-9 They stumble because they are disobeying the Word…But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Our calling is to walk in the light as He is in the light. Torah defines light. Prophets call us back to the light. Brit Hadasha teaches us how to follow the light. But none of this is of any use if it sits on the dusty old shelf. Shabbat Shalom.
Day 21 of the Omer
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sat25-Apr-2026 8th of Iyar, 5786 Parashat Achrei Mot-Kedishim
This week we have another double portion. The total number of portions in the Torah reading cycle is 54, which reflects the maximum number of readings for a leap year (a year containing two months of Adar). In non-leap years, some of the portions are combined so that the entire Torah is read every year.
Acharei Mot translates to “after the death,” referring to the deaths of Aaron’s two sons Nadab and Abihu. Kedoshim translates to “holy,” from Leviticus 19:2 when ADONAI speaks to the people through Moses saying, “You shall be kedoshim (holy), for I ADONAI your God am holy (kedosh).” Kedoshim is the plural form of kedosh. The “you” is the plural form in Hebrew, so the plural for kedosh is used, then when referring to ADONAI the singular form is used.
So, what does it mean to be kedosh, “holy?” The dictionary meaning is to be consecrated, moral, sacred, godly, pious, set apart, etc. If we accept these ideas for demonstrating holiness, (I do), how does the Bible instruct us in leading a life among the kedoshim?
Leviticus 11:44 Therefore sanctify yourselves, and be holy, for I am holy. You are not to defile yourselves with any kind of creeping thing that moves on the earth. ADONAI is referring to the kosher laws concerning most bugs.
Leviticus 11:44 I am ADONAI who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God. Therefore, you shall be holy, for I am holy. Following this statement there are instructions about distinguishing between unclean and clean animals.
After a preamble about not offering children as sacrifices to an evil entity, dealing with mediums, soothsayers and the like, Leviticus 20:7-8 says Consecrate yourselves and be holy, for I am ADONAI your God. You are to keep my statutes and do them.
Verse 8 is key to understanding what it means to be holy. It isn’t enough to “keep” God’s commandments. You know, the ones in that dusty old Book kept on the shelf, only rarely opened. It means to actively use the contents of that Book every day.
1 Peter 1:14-16 Do not be shaped by the cravings you had formally in your ignorance. Instead, just like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in everything you do. For it is written, “Kedoshim you shall be, for I am kedosh...”
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Psalm 119:9-10 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your Word. With my whole heart have I sought you – let me not stray from your mitzvot.
Too often today we fail ADONAI’s commands without even realizing what we are doing.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 talks about allowing darkness or lawlessness into our lives…What agreement does God’s Temple have with idols?...Come out from among them, and be separate, says ADONAI…
1 Peter 2:8-9 They stumble because they are disobeying the Word…But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Our calling is to walk in the light as He is in the light. Torah defines light. Prophets call us back to the light. Brit Hadasha teaches us how to follow the light. But none of this is of any use if it sits on the dusty old shelf. Shabbat Shalom.
Day 21 of the Omer
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sat25-Apr-2026 8th of Iyar, 5786 Parashat Achrei Mot-Kedishim
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