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KMD MEMBERS YEAR 5785

MEMBERSHIP YEAR 5785

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SPONSOR TORAH LEARNING

RABBI MOSES' WEEKLY MESSAGE

Dear Mogen David Family,

There are many famous Mitzvot recorded in Parashat Kedoshim. Perhaps none are more well-known, and as quoted worldwide, as "Veahavta L'reacha Kamocha, Ani Hashem" (19:18). We are all familiar with Rebbe Akiva's assertion that this Mitzvah, so relevant during Yemei HaSefira, is the 'Klal Gadol B'Torah," the overarching principle of the Torah that all else hinges on--shehakol teluyot bah. Perhaps we are also familiar with Hillel's summary of the entire Torah (from Masechet Shabbat), while standing on one foot, as 'that which you find hateful, do not do onto others,' usually paraphrased in the affirmative as 'treat others the way you would want to be treated.'

This idea, while simple to understand, is difficult to implement practically. The Halacha is that we must care for our fellow Jews as we care for ourselves, emotionally and monetarily.

As many Mefarshim point out, this runs counter to Man's nature. Our netia, our inclination and natural disposition, is to care and worry for ourselves more than others, for our families before our neighbors. And as the Gemara in Bava Metzia Daf 62a explains, this is certainly true if we are traveling in the desert with only one canteen of water in hand, and only one person can survive. For all other circumstances, however, we must attempt to elevate our care and concern for others as would we for ourselves.

A lofty goal indeed, but one well worth striving for as we march on toward Kabbalat HaTorah!

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Yehuda Moses Rav HaKehillah/Senior Rabbi

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Fri, May 9 2025 11 Iyyar 5785