After Death-Holy

The Parshiot of Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, are usually read together. Some say that the names together reflect an attitude we have about people. Acharei Mot, means, after death. And Kedoshim means, they are holy.

Put the two together and you get, after one’s death, he becomes holy. Sometimes the greatness of a person is not realized until he dies. There is an expression that when one is standing next to a mountain, one cannot appreciate how high it is.

But there are also people that weren’t so special when they were alive, and they are deified after their death. This is how some religions have developed. With individuals, it might ease the burden of the loss of a loved one by remembering and glorifying them, in an exaggerated manner.

It is certainly interesting how the Rabbis pick up ideas from even a slight nuance from the Torah. They had a very keen understanding of human nature. They saw it as their role, to give direction to their students in constantly seeking truth and staying on a path that would avoid delusions, and stay in touch with reality.