Embracing Our Divine Essence

As the son of a communal rabbi, my childhood Shabbat table was adorned with lively discussions and intriguing guests. I remember one particular guest vividly, who shared his upcoming journey to Thailand in search of self-discovery. He was met with the witty retort of another guest, “What happens if when you find yourself, you find out that you’re less than perfect?” This humorous exchange echoes a deeper truth, one illuminated by this week’s Parsha, Kedoshim.

Kedoshim, delves into the commandment to love our fellow as ourselves. Yet, amidst our focus on loving others, we often overlook the significance of self-love, which serves as the foundation for our capacity to love others fully. Loving oneself requires a deep understanding of who we are. It is a journey fraught with challenges, especially when confronted with our own imperfections.

We are all familiar with the inner critic that arises when we make mistakes or confront our flaws. It is easy to be harsh on ourselves, to doubt our worthiness of love. However, the essence of self-love lies in recognizing that we are each a neshama—a divine soul, a piece of Hashem.

When we embrace this truth, we realize that every individual, including ourselves, is inherently worthy of love and compassion. Just as we are a reflection of the divine, so too are others. This realization forms the bedrock upon which our capacity to love others is built.

Parshat Kedoshim challenges us to embark on a journey of self-discovery, to delve into the depths of our being and unearth the spark of divinity within. It calls upon us to confront our inner struggles and embrace our true selves with kindness and acceptance.

In doing so, we not only cultivate a deeper sense of self-love but also extend that love outward, touching the lives of those around us. For when we recognize the divine essence within ourselves, we can’t help but also see it in others.

As we gather around our Shabbat tables this week, let us reflect on the profound wisdom of Parshat Kedoshim. Let us commit to embracing ourselves fully, flaws and all, knowing that in our essence – our Neshama we are a ‘piece’ of the Divine. And let us extend that same love and compassion to all those we encounter, recognizing the divine spark that resides within each and every one of us.

Shabbat Shalom,

R. Shlomo Cohen