Kedoshim Tihiu – You will be Holy

 דבר אל כל עדת בני ישראל ואמרת אלהם: “קדושים תיהיו כי קדוש אני ה’ אלקכם” 

Say to them: “You shall be holy, for holy am I, Hashem, your G-d” (Yayikra, 19:2). 

Rashi explains this verse as having two meanings: 

• You will be holy! (a command) – Holiness is not an option for the Jewish nation, and it carries tremendous responsibilities. When we live up to our calling, we bring holiness and G-dliness into the world. Conversely, when we fail, we are hit with tragedies and tremendous trials. 

• You will be holy (a promise that is a statement of fact) – Holiness is the essence of every Jew! The neshama (soul) is a pure reflection of the G-dly spark. Each one of us bears responsibility to allow this spark, rather than the animalistic side, to guide our lives. 

These two meanings are the underpinnings of the entire Torah. They are interdependent and inseparable. 

We are cautious about guarding our health, and we take measures to avoid contagions. However, when it comes to spiritual “contagions,” we don’t see ourselves as vulnerable. We tend to think that our spiritual health is strong enough that the environment won’t influence us.  

“Not so!”, says Maimonides. He wrote that each of us is keenly vulnerable to our environment, and no one is immune to the influence of an immoral society. 

Noting how many tribulations, both individual and national, we are suffering now, Harav Kook in Tiveria, Israel is asking us to commit to being holy!  

Harav Kook has started a campaign – Kedoshim Tihiu – to address this issue. Here is a description of the campaign – The Light – and why being holy is critical – The Beauty of Kedushah. 

In the Kedoshim Tihiu campaign, we are asking each and every Jew to make a commitment to increase their level of holiness – choose something doable and significant!  

For instance, thousands have already taken upon themselves to guard their eyes, get rid of their smartphones and unfiltered internet, wear long and wide skirts, stop wearing clingy and showy materials, increase their necklines/button the top button on the collar and other forms of increasing the modesty of their clothing, to stop wearing a human-hair wig or start covering their hair according to Jewish law with some form of cloth covering, behave and talk in a modest way including striving to not yell at spouses and children, guard the laws of Family Purity, and marry according to halachah (Jewish law). 

Both men and women can participate since holiness is incumbent on all of us. Hashem does not expect a complete change overnight but we each must do something to bring the full Redemption with mercy. It’s coming whether we are ready or not – it’s up to US to choose if we will merit to see it, and whether it will come with mercy or G-d forbid wars, death and destruction. 

The prophesy says that of those that remain to see the Redemption, they will be called: Kedoshim. Holy! This is just one of many proofs that in order to merit to live to see the Redemption, you must be holy!!!  

Rabbi Kook and the hidden tzaddikim are calling upon the Jewish people to make some small but realistic kabbalah (pledge) upon yourself to increase your level of holiness in order to merit the Redemption – and with mercy. 

Many miracles have been seen by those who took steps toward holiness! Watch the amazing, true story of a young man who was involved in a “fatal” car accident:  The Promise.   

Rabbi Kook and other tzaddikim are personally praying for every person who takes part of this important campaign! Call (in Israel) 052-715-1890 or international +972-52-715-1890. 

For more information or if you have questions about the campaign, write to Info@b-h.org.il. You can visit their website directly as well: http://b-h.org.il/home.php (Hebrew).