By: Chaya Sora Jungreis-Gertzulin

We are living in the world of Oct1ober 8, the aftermath. While October 8 is often understood as being synonymous with a world of increased anti-Semitism and Jew-hate, I am looking at a different October 8. The October 8 of increased kindness and understanding, of caring and reaching out between brothers. The October 8 of Kedoshim Tihiyu, You shall be holy.

This Shabbos, we read the double Torah portion of Acharei Mos-Kedoshim. Acharei Mos, After the Death (of Nadav and Avihu, sons of Aaron HaKohein). Kedoshim Tihiyu, You Shall be Holy. To live the life of a kodosh, a holy one. Not to be spiritual just in heart and mind, but to bring that spirituality to action.

The parsha gives us some of the ways to attain spirituality. Among them are honoring one’s parents, keeping Shabbos, not stealing, being honest, not gossiping, not to stand by when innocent blood is shed, not to take revenge, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself. Essentially to live one’s life knowing that there is a higher Authority Above to whom we must answer.

Each day, in the Amida, we are reminded of this. “Atah Kodosh, You are holy, V’Shimcha Kodosh, And your Name is holy, U’kedoshim, b’chol yom yehallelucha, and holy ones praise You every day…” We say this prayer every day, but do we stop and think, who are the “holy ones”?

While some explain that it refers to the angels above, other commentators explain it to be “the angels below” – the holy ones amongst us. People who live their lives as kedoshim.

Being a kodosh is not limited to a select few. In fact, the Chumash tells us that the obligation to be holy was transmitted by Moshe to kol adas Bnei Yisroel, to the entire Jewish nation —- men, women and children. Strong or weak, rich or poor, scholarly or simple, young or old…. All have the ability to be holy.

After Aron’s sons perished, he didn’t become depressed, fall apart and crumble. Nor did he complain, become angry or bitter. Surely he was pained. But with it all, he found the strength to continue on with his avoda, his sacred duties as Aron HaKohein, Aron the High Priest.

Acharei Mos-Kedoshim. It was after the death, after a most difficult time, that we learn from Aron what it means to be a kodosh.

October 8 was a day of acharei mos, after the death. A day when so many rose and elevated themselves to become kedoshim, holy ones. I think of Jen Airley. Jen grew up in Miami, went to Israel after completing school, and met her husband, Rob, in Yerushalayim. They settled in the States, living in the 5 Towns, but the dream of making aliya was always on their minds. When their son Binyomin was a toddler, they lived their dream and made the move.

Binyomin, a member of an elite IDF brigade, was killed in Gaza, protecting the country he and his family loved so much. Prior to October 7, Jen and Rob had purchased a home is Tzfat, intending it to be an Air B&B. It was to be an extra source of income. But after October 7, all that changed. The Airleys wanted Binyomin’s light, his way of constantly giving and doing for others, to continue shining. They wanted his memory to stay alive. So they did what Binyomin would have done. They gave, and continue to give to others. They converted their Air B&B into a respite home for soldiers on leave. A place where any soldier who feels that he needs to get away to rest and rejuvenate, can check into. The kitchen is always stocked, the beds are ready, and a therapist is always available. They even arrange for musical entertainment in the evenings.

Jen could have become bitter. But she became better. She could have said it’s not fair, why my Binyomin, why my son. Instead, she said, what can I do to keep his light shining.

Kedoshim tihiyu, You shall be holy.

I think of Alon Mesika, whose 23-year-old son, Adir, was murdered on October 7. Adir never had a chance to propose to his girlfriend, Yuli. Alon didn’t become angry at the world. Like Jen, he wanted to do something positive to keep Adir’s memory alive. Alon, who is a jeweler, undertook to give engagement rings – valued up to $2,000 each – to soldiers, for their kallahs. To date, he has already given out 102 rings. In the midst of his pain, he wants to do for others. To make the world a better, happier place.

Kedoshim tihiyu, You shall be holy.

And who doesn’t know the story of Yarden Bibas, who was held hostage, only to be released and learn that his wife and two beautiful children were cruelly murdered by Hamas. I can’t even fathom his pain. Yarden gave his children’s toys to Assuta Ashdod Hospital, where his sons Kfir and Ariel were born. He has undertaken a mission to encourage others to similarly give toys to young patients. “Every baby born here, and every child recovering here, is part of our victory over those who tried to destroy us.” A powerful statement from Yarden Bibas. To give even when one’s heart is breaking.

Kedoshim tihiyu, You shall be holy.

“Vayehi erev, vayehi boker, yom echad, And it was evening, and it was morning, one day.” Bereishis is the book of life lessons. In creating the first day, the Chumash tells us that it was night, it was morning, one day. Why not use the term yom rishon, the first day, as in yom sheini, the second day, yom shlishi, the third day, and so on.

From here we learn a great lesson. It was dark. Symbolic of pain, challenge and difficulty. Then it became boker, light. Symbolic of renewal, goodness, and healing. The rays of sunlight came shining through. It is all part of that “one day”. Darkness and then light. Don’t despair, don’t lose hope. In fact, with our actions, every one of us can bring light into the world.

The Hebrew word for friend is yedid. Yedid is spelled yud-dalet-yud-dalet. Within the word yedid are two words, each word spelled yud-dalet – yad and yad, hand and hand. When two hands are connected and work together, we have yedid, a friend. The gematria, numerical value of yedid is 28, the same numerical value as koach, meaning strength. When we work together, doing for each other, we not only create friendships, but we find the koach to grasp far beyond our natural reach. To make the bitter better.

Shabbat Shalom!

Chaya Sora

Chaya Sora can be reached at [email protected]

This article was written L’zecher Nishmas/In Memory Of HaRav Meshulem ben HaRav Osher Anshil HaLevi, zt”l and Rebbetzin Esther bas HaRav Avraham HaLevi,