Becoming Our Best Selves: Lessons from This Week's Torah Portion - Achrei Mos/Kedoshim
- Noach Karp
- May 9
- 3 min read
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Becoming the best version of ourselves is one of the main goals of our time in this world. The Torah portions this week, Achrei Mos and Kedoshim, speak directly to how we accomplish this spiritual journey.
The first portion, Achrei Mos, explores our relationship with Hashem, the Yom Kippur service, and several other foundational topics. The second portion, Kedoshim, addresses many interpersonal relationship laws—the commandments that govern how we interact with our fellow human beings. Among these is perhaps the most famous teaching: "Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself."
A Time for Reflection and Growth
We find ourselves in a unique period:
A time of mourning, commemorating when the 12,000 pairs of Rabbi Akiva's students passed away
The weeks between our exodus from Egypt and receiving the Torah on Mount Sinai on Shavuos—a time devoted to preparing ourselves to become perfect vessels to accept and receive G-d's wisdom
As we've mentioned previously, our tradition encourages the study of Pirkei Avos (Ethics of the Fathers) during this time to develop our ethics and morals as Jews.
The 48 Ways to Greatness
Rabbi Aharon Kotler, of blessed memory, had a beautiful practice during the 49 days from Pesach to Shavuot. He would study one of the 48 ways to acquire Torah each day, then review all 48 ways on the 49th day to prepare for Shavuos on the 50th day.
As Rabbi Noach Weinberg, of blessed memory, taught us, these are not just 48 ways to acquire Torah—they are 48 ways to accomplish anything and everything in life. They are 48 paths to becoming GREAT!
Today's Focus: Way #26 - Know Your Place
Friday marks the 26th day of our counting, and we focus on Rabbi Weinberg's teaching on Way #26: Know Your Place.
Rabbi Noach Weinberg(48 Ways Project) https://aish.com/48955251/
Every person has a contribution to make in this world. Figure out your role in the grand scheme.
Imagine the accountant standing in a roomful of doctors and pontificating on medical science. How foolish he sounds!
A key ingredient in wisdom is to know who you are, and where you fit into the greater scheme of things. Arrogance is a major barrier to growth. The "know-it-all" is smugly satisfied. Don't be arrogant, don't be satisfied. Realize how little you understand. If you appreciate that wisdom is your most valuable possession, then you'll push for more.
Way #26 is hamakir et mikomo – literally "know your place." Do you know where you stand in relation to others? Realistically evaluate your strengths and weaknesses.
By learning how to make that calculation, you'll know when you're best suited for the job at this moment. If you are, then don't be held back by false modesty. It's your obligation to step forward and take the lead. On the other hand, it also means knowing when others are more suited, and stepping back into your place.
Sometimes, silence is golden. The Talmud teaches that, "A person should not speak in the presence of someone greater than him in wisdom." Don't be too quick to throw in your two cents worth.
You can think the world of yourself, only to walk into a room of geniuses and find out that you have a lot more to learn. Or you can be down on yourself, only to walk into a room of under-achievers and find out that you're not so bad after all.
The Sages speak about carrying two slips of paper – one in the right pocket and one in the left. On one paper is written: "The entire world was created just for me" (Talmud – Sanhedrin 38a). On the other paper is written the words of Abraham: "I am but dust and ashes" (Genesis 18:27).
Know your place. Before you begin talking, stop to think: Is this a time to step forward, or a time to step back? to read full article click here and start from highlighted blue spot
Wishing you a meaningful Shabbat and continued growth on your spiritual journey,
Noach, Miriam and The Whole Karp Family
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