Spiritual Gems from the parsha

And Moses said: "This is the thing that G-d has commanded that you do-and the glory of G-d will appear to you." (Lev. 9:6)

Every mitzva (commandment) has inner, esoteric meanings. Even the most learned scholar cannot fully grasp these secrets, for human comprehension and understanding of the infinite is limited. This is why Moses commanded the Jews - "This is the thing that G-d has commanded" - no matter how much one has studied and no matter how many inner meanings a person has learned, the real reason to do a mitzva is because G-d has commanded. When your intent in performing a mitzva is solely because G-d wants that particular act to be performed, then "the glory of G-d will appear to you."


(Tiferet Shmuel)


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These are the animals you may eat...whichever divides the hoof (parsa) and chews (literally "brings up") the cud (geira) (Lev. 11:3)

The Hebrew words "parsa" and "geira" have more than one meaning. Parsa is related to the word meaning to cut bread, and the geira is an ancient coin that weights one-twentieth of a shekel coin. From this we learn that one of the primary distinguishing marks of a Jew is that he willingly shares his bread with the poor and distributes charity freely.


(Rabbi Zev HaMagid)


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Sanctify yourselves, and you will be holy, because I am holy (Lev. 11:44)

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev said: If the father is wealthy, it is easier for the child to be successful in matters of livelihood. If he prefers, he doesn't need to work too hard since he can always fall back on his father. This is what the Torah means when it says "Sanctify yourselves": one needn't do more than begin to be involved in holy matters, and immediately "you will be holy," for "I am holy." Because G-d is holy and we are His, it will be easy for us to become Holy.