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Orchard of Delights Kedoshim
(Genesis 2:2) the number seven has symbolized the cycle of time and Ultimately, though, the notion of the entire Torah being dependent
the orderly purpose of creation. Indeed, Shabbat not only provides on this portion may stem from the command to be holy. Since being
humanity with a period of rest, but also a crucial perspective on how holy like God is such a fundamental underlying principle, all the
to balance between the physical and spiritual aspects of creation. people had to hear this proclamation together at one time.
This cycle of seven is, of course, also reflected in the Shemittah Indeed, the author of Sefer Hachinuch (based on Rambam’s
and Jubilee year cycles, and in the dynamic of exile and redemption enumeration of the mitzvot) does not count the instruction to be
underlying nature, our private lives, the course of Israel’s history, holy as an independent mitzvah. Holiness is presumably such a
and even the Divine plan for the human race. Consequently, the fundamental principle that it applies in essence to every single mitzvah
number seven is reflected within Judaism on the private and public and forms the very backdrop for a Torah observant lifestyle.
planes and in a wide range of universal and particular natural and Perhaps, the very nature of holiness also mandated Moses
historical phenomena.
addressing the entire people at once. In preparing the people to
In the world of nature, science has revealed that most cells in the receive the Torah at Mount Sinai, God instructs them regarding
body completely rejuvenate themselves every seven years. Jewish their ultimate mission: “‘You shall be to Me a kingdom of ministers
lifecycle events, combining the public and the private, are replete (cohanim) and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall
with the number seven. A baby boy is circumcised on the eighth day speak to the Children of Israel” (Exodus 19:6). Holiness is not
to ensure that he has already experienced one Shabbat. At a wedding merely a private goal, but a communal one. Although an individual
the bride encircles the groom seven times under the chuppah (the may reach great heights of holiness, ultimately his or her level of
wedding canopy), and seven special blessings are recited. During the spirituality is intrinsically linked to the community’s, for it is within
next seven days, at every festive meal the bride and groom attend, the context of community that one becomes holy. Though some
these blessings are recited during Grace After Meals. Moving from degree of separation is sometimes appropriate, totally divorcing one’s
joy to sadness, following the death of one of seven immediate family self from society is not the Jewish path to holiness. As discussed in
members, the initial mourning period is seven days. Shemini (“Borders and Beyond”), Nadav and Avihu failed to realize
On an exclusively communal or national level, the menorah in the this. They saw involvement in mundane life, including marriage,
Holy Temple had seven branches, one central branch representing as an impediment to holiness. Ironically, Nadav and Avihu’s very
Shabbat, and three branches on each side representing the six days of aloofness from prospective mates, family, and teachers may have
creation and the work week. The holiday of Pesach is celebrated for actually prevented them from understanding the Torah’s true
seven days, as is Sukkot. On Simchat Torah we dance in circles with approach to holiness.
the Torah seven times. Every Shabbat, the weekly Torah reading Another reason why Rashi may have felt that the majority of the
is divided into seven sections and the Shabbat Amidah consists of Torah is dependent on this portion is that the mitzvah to love your
seven blessings. Furthermore, when the Jewish people left Egypt, neighbor as your self is included in it (Leviticus 19:18). The great
seven complete weeks had to elapse before they were ready to receive Torah scholar Hillel when asked by a prospective convert to teach
the Torah on the fiftieth day. Indeed, every year we recall this period him the entire Torah while he was standing on one leg answered by
by counting the days and the weeks between Pesach and Shavuot. telling him not to do to his neighbor that which is hateful to himself.
Likewise, we count seven Sabbatical cycles before reaching the Hillel then continued to explain that the entire Torah is encapsulated
fiftieth, the Jubilee, year. in this instruction; all the rest is commentary, which the prospective
convert should now go and learn! (Shabbat 31a). Rabbi Akiba
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