Kedoshim
Lev. 19:1-20:27
Précis: The opening words of Kedoshim are “You shall be holy” (kedoshim tihyu), and it continues with various descriptions of how the People are to strive for holiness. Included are fundamental laws, such as fearing one’s parents and observing Shabbat. Consideration of the poor through the commandments to leave the corners of fields for gleaners is included, as are mandates which complement the ethical principles of the Ten Commandments (being honest, avoiding vengeance). Specific bans against magicians, soothsaying, witchcraft and defiling the dead follow, as are reminders to avoid human sacrifice. This parasha is often viewed as the very core of moral teaching for the Jewish People.
Lev. 19:23-25 "When you enter the land and plant any tree for food you shall regard its fruit as forbidden. Three years it shall be forbidden for you, not to be eaten. In the fourth year all its fruit shall be set aside for jubilation before the Lord; and only in the fifth year may you use its fruit -- that its yield to you may be increased: I am the Lord your God."
The Sages regarded this as a proof text requiring the Jews to plant trees upon their entry into the Promised land. While God had fed them during the four decades in the Wilderness, they now had to feed themselves, and planting trees was an important aspect of this obligation. We plant trees for ourselves and for the future generations.
There is a famous midrash in which the Roman Emperor Hadrian came upon an elderly Jew planting fig trees. The Roman asked why he was engaged in such labor; given his age, it was unlikely that he would ever enjoy its fruit. The Jew replied, "My lord, I plant this tree myself because if I earn it, I will eat of the fruits of my labor. If I don’t, then my children will." Three years later, Hadrian met the Jew again by his fig tree, holding a basket of fresh figs which he offered to the Emperor. Impressed and humbled by the Jew’s actions, Hadrian returned the Jew‘s basket filled with gold coins.
We learn from this charming story that we can never stop planting, whether it’s trees or acts of gimilut chasadim (loving-kindness). I write this specifically in mind of my 97 year old mother-in-law Esther, who continues to “plant” the “seeds” which she prays will keep her family close to each other and to our tradition. May her prayers be answered in full.
