Walking through the streets of Jerusalem one cannot avoid feeling a connection to our people. Stepping on stones that are not hundreds,but thousands of years old - and knowing that my ancestors walked on these very stones - is simply an experience that words fail to convey.
Standing over a mikvah more than two thousand years old, I feel the message of this week's parsha Shemini coming to life. We learn about the laws of mikvah, ritual purity and kosher, among others, Passing by one kosher restaurant after another, I sense the firm commitment of our people.
There is much to be said about the dedication of an entire nation, in a sea of enemies. Some of the mitzvahs in this week's parsha are chukim, supra-rational laws. I don't fully understand mikvah or kosher. But, I am a Jew, and I gladly fulfill them.
Perhaps the closing words of the parsha can shed some light on this unique perseverance of body and soul. We are enjoined to fulfill these commandments and "You shall be holy, because I am holy."
We do not observe the rituals of holiness because they are trendy or popular among our neighbors.
It's simple. We have a G-d. We want to be connected. So we observe His commandments.
Live, from Jerusalem, Shabbat Shalom!