Who Knew? The Midrash Tanchuma relates that some non-believers asked R’ Simlai about a posuk at the end of Sefer Yehoshua (24:19) in which Yehoshua tells the people that G-d is holy and a vengeful G-d Who will not bear their iniquities and sins. The posuk says, “Elokim Kedoshim Hu,” that G-d is holy. The heretics said, “If there were one god, it should have said “kadosh hu,”but since it says, kedoshim, the plural of holy, it must mean that there are numerous gods, all of whom are holy. R’ Simlai retorted, “Fools that you are! If it said ‘kedoshim haim,’ THEY are holy, you would be correct. However, it says kedoshim HU, that HE is holy. Why then does it use the plurality of the word kadosh? Because HaShem is holy in many ways. He is holy in His speech, as it says, “diber b’kadsho,” He spoke in His holiness. He is holy in his ways, as it says, “G-d, in Your holy ways….” He is holy in His glory, as it says in Az Yashir, “Who is like You among the Mighty, O G-d, Who is like You glorious in praise? You see,” he told them, “G-d is holy in all manner of holiness.” (Tanchuma 4) The lesson for us is to realize that as much as we grow and achieve in one area, we must seek to excel in all areas. We must strive to think, speak, act, and behave with holiness just as G-d does.
Posted on: Fri, 25 Apr 2014 13:58:16 +0000
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