Parshas Emor

Parshas Emor continues the theme initiated in last weeks parsha. Kedusha / holiness. Kedusha is a challenging topic because it is something that the Torah exhorts us to do and we are not really sure we want to do it. Of course no one wants to be a sinner. Everyone wants to be ok with Hashem but this concept of kedusha seems a bit much. Am i willing to never really having any fun or enjoy this world? Kadosh people seem to be very admirable but they always speak softly, smile and never get a good joke. I have been blessed to know people who I feel are truly kedoshim and I would like to share three observations about kedoshim.
Observation #1
Just like everyone else in this world Kedoshim are committed pleasure seekers. Kedoshim are not unimpassioned people who have given up on pleasure to be satisfied with whatever comes their way. Kedoshim have come to understand that there is great pleasure in doing the will of G-d. They have found a thrill in it that makes other pleasures pale in comparison. Kedoshim are very focused and very ambitious. Kedoshim want their pleasure and are willing to pay a great price to get it. When they identify other pleasures as interfering with thier chosen pleasure namely doing the will of Hahsem they actually come to disdain it that other pleasure. A recovering drug addict once told me that as soon as he got high he tried to come down. Now that doesn't make any sense. You spent all the time and energy stealing the money, finding the dealer then finding some safe place to do the drugs at least get into it. Enjoy it. But no. As soon as he has the pleasure he realizes that the indulgence isn't really getting him anywhere and he wants to get as far from it as fast as he can. The kedoshim are the same way. They want to get as far as possible from things that distract them from their chosen pleasure even though these things might be enjoyable in their own right.
So observation number one about kedoshim is thatthey want pleasure as much as everyone else and they are more ambitious and focused on their goals than most people. They are just looking for a different type of pleasure.

Observation #2
Kedoshim know that kedusha is not found in a single place or circumstance. Kedusha is found in the french quarter of New Orleans, kedusha is found in front of the Western Wall on Friday evening and kedusha can be found in the social interaction at the kiddush we all will partake of in a few moments. When opportunities for kedusha present themselves Kedoshim have an eye for them and are willing to grab them. This usually means they are willing to pay a price for their kedusha. The kedusha seeker at the western wall may have spent his savings on the trip to Israel. The kedusha seeker in New Orleans may have struggled greatly to ignore the competeing pleasure being offered outside his front door. The kedusha seeker at the kiddush may have to walk away from an innapropriate conversation or engage in a conversation with an uniteresting person. Sometimes the kedoshim have to supress anger or the desire for revenge or a myriad of other human traits. What makes kedoshim different is that they identify the kedusha opportunity and are ready to pay the price to acheive their goal.

A third observation. Kedoshim are not angels or saints. They are not beyond making mistakes and don't always choose kedusha. The real difference between them and others is that they are not affraid of kedusha they value it. If so we can all have kedusha. All we have to do is be willing to try something new.

Let me close with a story of a kedusha seeker. This man founded a charitable institution in Israel. He visits Atlanta every year or so and I have come to know him over the years. A few years ago Purim was on shabbos. This man was celebrating at a very festive Purim meal. When every ones 'heart was good with wine' someone started singing shabbos songs. Soon everyone joined in and they were all singing shabbos songs with gusto. Then someone said " this is a holy moment, lets use it to improve ourselves. We should all accept upon ourselves right here and not to do something to improve our shabbos experience". They all agreed but no one was sure what to do. Then someone said "Every fridaythe siren sounds 40 minutes before sunset reminding everyone that shabbos is approaching. Lets accept upon themselves that we will be ready for shabbos by that time as it is suggested in the holy books so that they may go to shul with tranquility and recite the Song of Songs". It sounded like a good idea to many people. One person took out a piece of paper and wrote up a contract that all of the undersigned agreed that until next Purim they would be ready for shabbos when the 40 minute siren sounded. When the paper came around to him this man was excited by the idea and he signed it. (not everyone signed the paper).
Soon after Purim this man was in the NY fund raising. Late Thursday night After an appointment he got in his car and proceeded to call his next appointment. All of a sudden the flashing light came on and he was pulled over. It is against the law in NY to talk on a cell phone while driving. The Hispanic offer asked for license and registration and went back into his car. The fellow waited and waited and waited. Forty five minutes went by. He was terrified and he was missing his appointment. Finally the cop came back and said get out of the car. He got out. The cop said we have a problem. A year ago you were photographed going through a red light here in NY and we sent you a ticket. You never paid it. I should impound your car and throw you in jail. You will have to spend the night in jail and go before the judge tomorrow. There is only one problem the Hispanic cop said. Tomorrow is shabbos. By the time you see the judge and arrange bail you will never get home in time for shabbos (and he said it just like that). Therefore I'm asking you to please promise me you will clean up these tickets immediately. The man promised he would and he was sent home appreciating that he had made a commitment to shabbos and shabbos made a comittment to him.