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“Hashem spoke to Moshe, saying: Speak to the # 26347-EYAL-6BOOKS - 26347-Vaikra-EYAL | 14 - B | 18-08-19 | 15:24:56 | SR:-- | Black 26347-EYAL-6BOOKS - 26347-Vaikra-EYAL | 14 - B | 18-08-19 | 15:24:56 | SR:-- | Cyan 26347-EYAL-6BOOKS - 26347-Vaikra-

What is the connection between the contiguous commands to be holy, to entire assembly of the children of Israel and say
revere one’s parents, observe Shabbat, and refrain from idol worship? to them: You shall be holy, for holy am I,
When Bnei Yisrael stood at the shores of the Yam Suf, they declared, Hashem, your G-d. Every man shall revere his
“This is my G-d and I will beautify Him.” Even the unborn children in mother and his father and you shall observe My
their mother’s womb, issued this cry. The people standing at the shore Sabbaths – I am Hashem, your G-d. Do not
could proclaim this declaration in recognition of Hashem’s reality, since turn to the idols, and molten gods you shall not
they had previously experienced many miracles. However, how did the make for yourselves – I am Hashem, your G-d”
unborn children, who had not witnessed Hashem’s supremacy, recognize
Him and join in the declaration? (Vayikra 19:1-4)
The neshamah of a person is hewn from the Upper Spheres. Before a
neshamah descends to this world, it perceives Hashem more clearly,
because it is not blemished by sin, which creates a barrier between it and
Hashem. Therefore, even the unborn children called out, “This is my G-d
and I will beautify Him.” This teaches us to aspire to elevate our kedushah
to the level of the unborn children, who never sinned and therefore
recognize Hashem with absolute clarity.

The way to perceive Hashem’s absolute existence is by abstaining from
immorality and cleaving to kedushah, through Torah and mitzvot.

The Torah placed the commandment to honor one’s parents following the
commandment to be holy for two reasons: (1) The obligation of showing
gratitude to one’s parents, who take part in the formation of a person,
which ultimately enables him to form a connection between himself and
Hashem. (2) By honoring one’s parents, he will eventually honor Hashem
and cleave to Him in kedushah, as he did initially, while in his mother’s
womb.
The connection between Shabbat and the command to be holy is that
Shabbat is called “Shabbat Kodesh.” This is because of the holy
neshamah yeteirah, stemming from the Upper Spheres, which Hashem