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The Book of Leviticus – ‫חומש ויקרא‬

Torah Portion Kedoshim

Commandments appear in Parshat Kedoshim that speak about relationships
between people.

One of the commandments relates to the fact that a person needs to rebuke his
friend, as is written:

"Do not hate your brother in your heart; you shall surely rebuke your
fellow and you shall not bear sin upon him." (19:17)

The Sages ask: why does the rebuke appear in double language: "you shall
surely rebuke" [lit. rebuke, you shall rebuke]?

The Talmud discusses this question and the answer is:

If it had been written only one time "rebuke," it would be possible to think that
one needs to rebuke his fellow even one hundred times.
The fact that it is written "rebuke, you shall rebuke" – is a sign that one does
not need to rebuke more than twice.

The Talmud also says: It would be possible to think that only a person greater in
wisdom than the other is allowed to rebuke him, but whoever is lesser in
wisdom – it is prohibited for him to rebuke one who is greater than he.
That is why it is written: "rebuke, you shall rebuke" – it is a sign that the
greater needs to rebuke the one who is lesser than he is in wisdom, and also the
lesser needs to rebuke the one who is greater than he is in wisdom.

This commandment shows that there is equality between all people in relation to
the law.

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