The Gordon’s related the following true story: They decided to take their five children [all under the age of ten] on a day trip to Netanya – a ninety minute bus trip from their home in Jerusalem. Mrs Gordon took each of the children to the bathroom before the family departed from home and once again at the central bus station. About an hour into the bus ride, their five year old Yaakov, who since birth had been called by the affectionate nickname ‘Kadosh’ (‘Holy one’) – turned to Mr Gordon and announced, “Abba, I have to go to the bathroom”.
Fifteen minutes later, after employing various delay tactics, Mr Gordon had no choice but to approach the bus driver. He was unable to impress upon him the urgency of the situation, “this is the express bus – we don’t stop!” he was told.
By the time the bus arrived in Netanya, ‘Kadosh’ had assumed the posture of a pretzel, and his agonized moans frightened his brothers and sisters! With the siblings blocking the way for ‘Kadosh’ and his parents to be first to dive off the bus, the trio headed for the restrooms. Upon reaching the restrooms they were confronted with an “Under Construction” sign. Yaakov’s face filled with panic.
The family split up to find the nearest restroom, ducking in and out of the local stores. No luck. They disappeared round the corner.
Suddenly they reappeared, “We found a bathroom! We found a bathroom!” Grabbing their brother by the arms, they started walking him to the end of the block. “Where’s the bathroom?”, Mrs Gordon called to the children. “In a bar” one of them called back. “What’s a bar?” Yaakov asked in between breaths. “It’s a place where people go to get drunk and listen to loud music” another child answered.
The five year old ‘Kadosh’ stopped in his tracks. “What’s wrong?” questioned Yaakov’s older brother. “I can’t go into a bar” the little boy exclaimed. “Why not?” Mr Gordon demanded.
Yaakov looked up at Mr Gordon ingeniuously and answered, “Because I’m ‘Kadosh’”.
Indeed all children are ‘Kadosh’ Holy. The commentators explain that the root of the word “Kadosh” connotes separation due to a difference in kind from something else. On one end of the spectrum, the Sanctuary is called the Kodesh because it is on a different spiritual plane from the secular. At the opposite end, an immoral person is called a “Kadesh”, because his spiritual degradation sets him apart from moral people.
In this regard children are set apart from most of mankind – they are pure and innocent – to go into a place where people may get drunk and play loud music is out of the question for the pure child!
The opening words of The Book of Vayikra might sound vaguely familiar – they are the very first words of Chumash that every boy is taught. Why? The Medresh explains that those who are pure should come and be involved in that which is pure i.e. the sacrifices in the Temple which are all discussed in the Book of Vayikra.
These first few verses that every boy opens his chumash career read, “He called to Moshe, and Hashem spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting saying”. The voice of Hashem actually emanated specifically from in between the two cherubs, which accurately translates as children.
Perhaps this is alluded to in the small Aleph in the word Vayikra, suggests the Ba’er Yosef. After all the weeks describing the tabernacle we now hear the voice of Hashem emanating from in between the two childlike cherubs. How is that described? “And He called” – ויקרא with a small Aleph. The word Aleph actually means to learn [as in ulpan!] The small Aleph refers to the small learners – the children. They are at the very core of the presence of Hashem in our midst.
Let’s remind ourselves that it is childlike purity that causes Hashem to be in our midst – we can all strive to purge ourselves back to that pure state into which we were all born. We can all be like children who are constantly learning, growing, and looking up to people around themselves!
Good Shabbos, Yaakov.