Parashat Qedoshim is an easy one for a those of us affiliated with RHR to write on. Here we find the most explicit demands for justice under the law, for social justice and for love of the stranger. No Parasha proves better than Qedoshim the artificiality of the distinction between mitzvoth “between one and God” and “between one and others”. The general commandment beginning the Parasha, “You shall be holy”, is broken down into a long list of moral and ritual commandments (and a few which it is difficult to categorize) - with no hierarchy or apparent order.

In this season of Holocaust Day and Independence Day, I was drawn especially to the verse:

“You shall not hate your kinsfolk in your heart. Reprove your kinsman but incur no guilt because of him.” (Lev. 19, 17).

All year long, and especially on the “national holidays”, we (human rights organizations, peace and social activists) are accused of lacking patriotism, of being “post-Zionists” and even of assisting the anti-Israeli propaganda around the world.

On these occasions we should remind ourselves as well as others that our reproaches against the policies of the state and the army do not come from hatred but from love, concern and a feeling of true responsibility for the state.

In our Parasha appears one of God’s promises to grant the land of Israel to us (20, 24). But here, as elsewhere, this promise is conditional upon our sticking to the moral and ritual commandments already mentioned:

“lest the land to which I bring you to settle in spew you out” (Lev. 20, 22).

Recent Articles by Lilach Tchlenov

• Lilach Tchlenov - May 22nd, 2006
• Shabbat Shuva: Making a Difference - October 7th, 2005
• Vayyelekh: Believe in the immediate change of the situation - October 7th, 2005
• Qedoshim: Justice under the law - May 6th, 2005
• Vayyishlah: Pride and Innocence - December 5th, 2000

Categories: Qedoshim, Vayyiqra-Leviticus
Tags: human rights, ISM, order, palestinians, peace, settlers