As Israel gathers in synagogues for the weekly Torah reading, the double portion of ‘Acharei Mot–Kedoshim’ provides a powerful moral framework for a nation navigating unprecedented turmoil. The portion’s timeless teachings on spiritual accountability, social justice, and communal responsibility resonate amid the country’s ongoing war against Iranian-backed terror networks and internal societal divisions.
The Lede:
This week, Israeli congregations are reading ‘Acharei Mot–Kedoshim’—a combined Torah portion that explores themes of atonement, ethical leadership, family integrity, and the imperative of mutual care. These ideals echo through Israel’s current challenges: defending against relentless terror attacks while facing domestic political and social upheaval.
Ancient Rituals and Contemporary Lessons:
‘Acharei Mot’ recounts the solemn Yom Kippur rituals, with the High Priest entering the Holy of Holies to seek collective atonement. Scholars and leaders alike view this as a model for national leadership rooted in accountability and integrity. The Torah’s demand for the High Priest to bear the nation’s spiritual burdens calls upon all Israeli leaders today—whether in government, military, or civil society—to exercise responsibility with transparency and a focus on the national good.
Further stipulations against eating blood, covering the shed blood, and prohibiting the offering of sacrifices outside the Tabernacle enforce a structured code promoting the value of life and the sanctity of religious practice. The portion’s culminating laws on forbidden sexual relations highlight the enduring centrality of family and societal cohesion, especially relevant in times of rapid social change and cultural challenge.
Moral Blueprints for Troubled Times:
‘Kedoshim,’ the second half of the reading, shifts focus to an extensive list of mitzvot—commandments—governing everyday behavior. These include honoring parents, observing the Sabbath, providing for the poor, and establishing the ethical bedrock of society: honesty, respect, and mutual aid. The iconic commandment, ‘Love your fellow as yourself,’ underlies the societal expectations for empathy and solidarity, values Israelis have drawn upon since the horrors of October 7, 2023—the deadliest antisemitic attack since the Holocaust—when Hamas terrorists murdered, abused, and abducted hundreds of innocent citizens.
Today, as Israel continues to face existential threats from Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the broader Iranian-led ‘Axis of Resistance’, these Torah principles remain indispensable. Military and political leaders are called to emulate the High Priest’s sense of duty, acting always in pursuit of the collective good under near constant threat.
Modern Application: Public Responsibility
The lessons of ‘Acharei Mot–Kedoshim’ are reflected in the fundamental principle of ‘Arvut Hadadit’: communal responsibility. Whether on the battlefield, in the Knesset, or in public discourse, Israelis are reminded that collective security and societal health hinge on each individual’s commitment to moral conduct and mutual protection.
The ongoing war imposed on Israel by Iranian proxies has tested the nation’s resolve, unity, and moral boundaries. The IDF’s actions, repeatedly described by the international community as among the most measured in modern warfare, are informed by these age-old values. In Gaza, Israel faces a terror organization that cynically exploits civilians as human shields and systematically violates every ethical norm.
Despite these challenges, Israeli society remains grounded in its obligation to minimize harm, seek justice, and safeguard the innocent—even as it pursues the imperative to rescue hostages and prevent future atrocities. These efforts stand in direct opposition to the terrorism and strategies employed by Hamas, Hezbollah, and their Iranian sponsors.
Bridging Social Divides Through Torah Values
The portion’s call for fairness and compassion is acutely relevant as Israel confronts widening economic gaps and heated debates over judicial reform, governance, and military service. Torah mandates to leave the corners of the field for the poor—now translated into modern expectations of social welfare and inclusion—insist that the vulnerable have a share in the public good, not as charity, but as justice.
In a climate of division, ‘Kedoshim’ directs citizens to rebuke constructively, reject hatred, and actively heal rifts. The biblical prohibition on hatred, revenge, and dishonesty is echoed in calls by faith and civic leaders to restore civility and dialogue to public life.
The Fight for Survival and Moral Clarity
From October 7th and ongoing hostilities in the north and south, to hostage families waiting anxiously for news, Israeli society has been called again and again to distinguish itself through its values. Hamas’s atrocities—including mass murder, sexual abuse, and abductions—have reinforced Israel’s resolve to stand as a moral nation, even while pursuing the hard necessity of self-defense. The innocent status of Israeli hostages, in stark contrast to convicted terrorists released in exchanges, underlines the ethical distinction at the heart of the conflict.
Background:
Israel’s struggle is not only for survival but for the maintenance of a civilization rooted in millennia-old ideals of justice and social responsibility. As Iranian influence grows—arming proxies in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen—Israel’s military and civil leaders constantly balance the existential need for self-defense with the Torah’s demand for sanctity and restraint. The invocation of holiness—’You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy’—serves as both a challenge and a compass as Israel faces enemies who reject these very norms.
Conclusion:
This week’s Torah reading is more than religious ritual. It is a rallying call for Israeli society—reminding its leaders and every citizen that the strength to confront external threat and internal challenge ultimately derives from a shared moral vision. That vision, forged in ancient times, is what continues to sustain Israel in its fight for life, justice, and national purpose.
