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Two-Line Torah: Acharei Mot-Kedoshim: Good Riddance

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April 20, 2018

A wise group of sages once said, “Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road. Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go. So make the best of this test, and don’t ask why. It’s not a question, but a lesson learned in time.” Clearly, Green Day wrote this song after reading this week’s double Torah portions.


In Acharei Mot, God speaks to Moses after Aaron’s sons Nadav and Abihu are killed for entering the holy of holies without permission. In Kedoshim, God describes to Moses many laws aimed at helping people live their holiest lives. These two Torah portions present us with the ultimate fork in the road: do we let our curiosity determine how we lead our lives or do we work toward living our holiest lives through ethics and rituals? Perhaps this, too, is best learned in time. 


As we near the end of the school year, our graduating seniors are going to go off into the world and are be presented with their own turning points in their lives. As Hillel professionals, we aren’t able to grab them by the wrist and help them along the road. But, we can give them the tools they’ll need to live their holiest lives, with the patience to make it through all of life’s tests. So even when they have their sometimes unpredictable Nadav and Abihu moments, they’ll know how to make it right and have the holiest time of their lives.

Naomi Zipursky, Springboard Innovation Specialist, San Francisco Hillel