Sifra Kedoshim Section 1

¹1) (Vayikra 19:1) "And the L–rd spoke to Moses, saying (Vayikra 19:2) Speak to the entire congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: Holy shall you be." We are hereby taught that this section was stated in the presence of all. Why so? Because most of the major tenets of Torah are inherent in it. "Holy shall you be": Separate yourselves (from arayoth.) "Holy shall you be, for holy am I, the L–rd your G d." If you sanctify yourselves, I will consider it as if you had sanctified Me, and if you do not sanctify yourselves, I will consider it as if you had not sanctified Me. — But perhaps the meaning is: If you sanctify Me, I am holy, and if not I am not holy. It is, therefore, written "for holy am I" — I remain in My holiness whether or not I am sanctified (by men). Abba Shaul says: What is the duty of the King's retinue? To follow in the footsteps of the King (and to be holy). ²2) (Vayikra 19:3) ("A man, his mother and his father, you shall fear, and My Sabbaths you shall keep; I am the L–rd your G d.") "A man": This tells me only of a man. Whence do I derive the same for a woman? From "you (plural) shall fear." ³3) If so, why is "a man" written? A man is in a position of doing (things to honor his parents), unlike a woman, who is subject to her husband's will. ⁴4) It is written "A man, his mother and his father, you shall fear," and (Devarim 6:13) "The L–rd your G d you shall fear." Scripture likens the fear of father and mother to fear of the L–rd." ⁵5) It is written (Shemoth 19:12) "Honor your father and your mother" and (Mishlei 3:9) "Honor the L–rd from your wealth." Scripture likens honoring father and mother to honoring the L–rd. ⁶6) It is written (Shemoth 20:17) "And he who curses his father and mother shall be put to death" and (Vayikra 24:15) "A man, a man, if he curse his G d, shall bear his sin." Scripture likens cursing of father and mother to cursing of the L–rd. ⁷7) But it is impossible to write of striking vis-à-vis the L–rd, (as it is written vis-à-vis parents [Shemoth 21:15]). (And one's honoring parents) is justly (compared to his honoring the L–rd), for the three of them are partners in his creation. ⁸8) R. Shimon says: Lambs precede goats in most places (in Scripture). I might think that this is because they are preferred; it is, therefore, written (Vayikra 4:32) "And if a lamb he brings as his offering for a sin-offering" (after 4:28 "a kid of the goats"), to teach that both are equal. Turtle-doves precede pigeons in most places. I might think that this is because they are preferred; it is, therefore, written (Vayikra 12:6) "and a young pigeon or a turtle-dove for a sin-offering," to teach that both are equal. ⁹9) Father precedes mother in all places. I might think that the father's honor is above that of the mother; it is, therefore, written "A man, his mother and his father you shall fear," to teach that they are both equal. But the sages said: The father takes precedence to the mother in all instances because both he and his mother are obliged to honor his father. ¹⁰10) Which is fear? He shall not sit in his place, and he shall not speak in his place, and he shall not contradict his words. Which is honoring? Giving him to eat and to drink and clothing and covering and bringing in and taking out. "A man, his mother and his father you shall fear": I might think that if his father or mother told him to transgress one of the mitzvoth of the Torah he should heed them; it is, therefore, written "and My Sabbaths you shall keep" — You are all obliged to honor Me. (Vayikra 19:4) "Do not turn to the idols (elilim)": Do not turn to serve them (in thought). R. Yehudah says: Do not turn to scrutinize them. ¹¹11) "elilim": This is one of the ten pejorative names of idols: elilim — because they are hollow; pesel — because they are sculpted; masechah — because they are molten; matzevah — because they are stood up; atzabim — because they are made in sections; teraphim — because they rot; gilulim — because they are revolting; shikutzim — because they are detestable; chamanim — because they stand in the sun; asherim — because they are supported by others. "Do not turn to the idols, and molten gods do not make for yourselves." In the beginning, they are idols; if you turn to them, you make them gods. ¹²12) "and molten gods do not make": I might think that others can make it for them; it is, therefore, written "not … for you." I might think that they can make it for others; it is, therefore, written "Do not make (it) (not) for you" (i.e., for others) — whence they ruled: If one makes an idol, he transgresses two exhortations: "Do not make" and "not for you." R. Yossi says: (He transgresses) three: "You shall not make," "not for you," and (Shemoth 20:3) "There shall not be unto you."