Close To Torah

It says in the second Possuk in Kedoshim “Speak to the entire assembly of the children of Israel and say to them you shall be holy, for holy am I, Hashem, your God.” The Torah gives many commandments through which we as Jews sanctify ourselves thereby getting closer to Hashem. When we follow all the commandments of the Torah we sanctify ourselves, enabling us to be holy. The Mitzvos are the way we connect with our creator, and it is the currency in which we earn our place in Olam Habbah. (See the beginning of Perek Alef Misals Yisharim which explains there the purpose of man is to get close to Hashem V’lhisaneg Bziv Shechinaso and the place to do so is Olam Habbah the way to get there is in this world through the doing of the Mitzvos.

The Maam Loez on this pasuk brings a parable: There was a small group of merchants from Vienna, who came up with a business idea. In Vienna it was possible to purchase various trinkets for a cheap rate, and trade them in India for precious gems. Then they can sell the gems back in Vienna and make a tremendous profit. They stocked up, and sailed to India on a boat, with the intent on striking it big. They were very successful in there business, and each of them stocked up a respectable amount of gems. Now, they were ready to return home, sell the gems and live comfortably till the end of their days. The boat trip however was a several month trip, the group needed to purchase provisions for the way. Most of the merchants used the gems to purchase top quality food, purchasing the finest meats. There was one merchant among them who decided to buy cheese and bread for his journey. The others mocked him saying “Why don’t you get something a bit tastier for the long journey? Why are you being so cheap?” He explained that he wanted to preserve the gems that way when he gets back to Vienna he will be able to get rich. Upon their arrival to Vienna, it became clear that the merchant that was “cheap” ended up being the rich one, while the others who had depleted most of their funds were close to poor. The lesson here is clear: Vienna is Olam Habba, and India Olam Hazeh. It is possible to purchase many gems, for a cheap rate. It is possible to do many Mitzvos here in this world, but only while being in India (this world) is it possible to purchase the gems. Once you set sail, it is too late. If a person spends all his gems while he is still in India, then he will be poor when he gets to the next world. The one who is wise will save his gems, not indulging too much in this world, thereby saving his reward for the next world.

Through the Mitzvos that Hashem gave us, we can accumulate many diamonds. We can strike it rich, if we are smart and careful. It is possible to attain a high spiritual level, becoming holy just like Hashem. The opportunity is there, lying before you. The only question is which merchant are you, how will you spend your diamonds?

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Categories: Parshas Acharei Mos, Parshas Kedoshim Tags: