Glossary of Terms Used in the Aharei Mot and Kedoshim Weekly Torah Portion

Kadosh (Holy)

“Holy” means using the will to receive that was previously in order to receive. It is the reverse form of the ego, and benefits only others or the Creator. When it is in favor of others, it is still at the degree of bestowing in order to bestow, the degree of Levites. But when we receive in order to bestow, it is at the degree of priests, the opposite of its initial nature.

Holding a Grudge

We cannot correct ourselves if we are still “keeping score.” It is an internal energy. These are very deep corrections that astonish us when they appear; we suddenly understand how deep are our calculations for our own benefit.

Prohibition against Divination

”Divination” is forbidden because it contradicts bestowal. If a person wants to bestow, it makes no difference what will happen in the future. All we need is to connect with others and to give them what they desire. In doing so, we will find a new life. If we make any calculation, it is toward the will to receive.

One who is truly advancing toward bestowal is indifferent toward the future. Pure bestowal is all that person wishes—to “be” in the other. In that state, one has no connection to divination, as there cannot be any considerations. Hence, we should make the corrections within us because in each of us is the desire to know the future or to guess it.

A Male Goat to Azazel

“A male goat to Azazel” is all the desires we still cannot correct. There are 613 desires in us, and some are still not corrected. Because there is a lack of light that shines on us, we cannot fix them. We separate these desires from us, which is why there are animals we slaughter and raise to Kedusha (holiness). These are the desires within us on the animate level. However, there are desires where we cannot do this. Hence, for now we are releasing them so they do not stay with us, as though we do not have them.