One of our most significant challenges is serving Hashem consistently with genuine enthusiasm and passion. The Navi Yeshaya cautions: "Befiv ubesfasav kibduni velibo richak mimeni, vatehi yirasam osi mitzvas anoshim melumadah" (Yeshaya 29:13) - "Inasmuch as this people has drawn close, with its mouth and with its lips it has honored Me, yet it has distanced its heart from Me. The fear of Me is like rote learning of human commands."
Even Aharon HaCohen who was granted the unique privilege of entering the Kodesh HaKodashim is warned, "Veal yavo bechol ais el hakodesh (Vayikra 17:2)" - "Do not come at all times into the sanctuary." Rashi comments, "..ulefi shegaluy shechinasi sham yizaher shelo yargil lavo." - "Because my shechinah is there, take heed not to come regularly." Even the sublime, pristine experience of hashraas hashechinah can become unmarveling and aweless if treated as ordinary and routine.
Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz zt"l emphasizes: Hahergel hu haoyev hagadol shel kol regesh kedushah vehisromemus" - "habit and routine are the great enemy of uplifting spirituality."
The balance of loyal adherence to the dvar Hashem and the importance of spiritual growth and creativity, underlie the Parshiyos of Acharei Mos and Kedoshim. Parshas Acharei Mos, which follows the death of Nadav and Avihu, emphasizes obedience of the dvar Hashem. Nadav and Avihu were killed for offering an "Aish zara asher lo tziva osam" (Vayikra 10:1) "An alien fire that He had not commanded them". The clear message of their death underscores that genuine Avodas Hashem rests on strict observance of the letter of the law. Perhaps for this very reason Parshas Acharei Mos contains the avodas Yom Hakippurim and Parshas Ho-arayos, both of which stress the detailed order and structure of Avodas Hashem and religious life.
Parshas Kedoshim, however, teaches that although strict observance of mitzvos is vital and absolute, it is, nonetheless, insufficient. One who is merely concerned with the letter of the law easily becomes what the Ramban terms a Naval B'reshus HaTorah, a sordid person with the permission of the Torah. Parshas Kedoshim therefore stresses attainment of Kedusha as a primary religious goal. Accordingly, many of the Mitzvos found in this Parsha, such as yiras av voaim, matanos aniyim, and ahavas Yisroel, emphasize the morals and ethics of our Torah. Kedoshim T'hiyu obligates us to embrace the Toras Hashem with an added sense of enthusiasm and passion.
The days of sefira are a period of preparation for kabolas HaTorah. The Kli Yakar notes (Vayikra 27:16) that no where does the Torah refer to Chag HaShavuos as zman matan Toraseinu. He explains this striking omission as follows: "Lo ratsa Hashem L'hagbil yom yadua l'fi shetzarich ha'adam sheyihiye dome lo b'chol yom vayom mikol yemos hashana k'ilu b'oso yom kibla maiHar Sinai". Hashem did not wish to limit or confine kabolas HaTorah to a single day. Each day we must approach the Toras Hashem with a sense of newness and freshness. It is with these qualities of genuine commitment and passion that we continue to grow and develop as true ovdei Hashem.