As we move from Pesach to the summer months, we have an opportunity to make sure we are taking with some of the inspiration along with us.

This week we read the parsha of Achrei. It discusses in detail the service of Yom Kippur and how the Kohen Gadol – the High Priest – would perform the service of the day in the Beit Hamikdash – the Holy Temple. Unfortunately, at present we do not have a Beit Hamikdash or a Kohen Gadol so one would be forgiven for thinking that  all the details discussed in this Biblical portion are seemingly purely academic and not currently relevant, especially to us Diaspora Jews.

However, Torah is not a history book or storybook. The word Torah is associated with the word “hora’ah” — which means teaching and guidance. Its words are not just relevant to a specific time of place but an ongoing lesson for us in our lives.

G-d instructed Moses to warn his brother Aharon, the Kohen Gadol, that “v’al yavoh bechol eit el haKodesh” - “he may not enter at all times into the Sanctuary”. This is a directive to Aharon that throughout the year he is not to enter the Kodesh Hakadashim — the Holy of Holies — the most sacred part of the Temple.

Many, mistakenly think that Torah is antiquated and not up with the times. They claim that it is necessary to modify and adjust Torah so that it will be compatible with contemporary lifestyles. To negate this, the Torah declares “v’al yavoh bechol eit el haKodesh.” When approaching the Kodesh — the sanctity of Torah and mitzvot — one does not apply adjustments of “bechol eit” — current trends and fads. We must reject the “bechol eit” philosophy, i.e. the idea that we must conform to the fashions, dictates, and norms of contemporary society.

There is a story of an American tourist who visited Big Ben together with his son. The child strained to get a full view of the clock. “Daddy, why did they put the clock so high and make people strain their necks to look up to it? Couldn’t they have made the clock level with the eyes so that everyone could see it easily, without trouble?”

The father replied, “If they had placed the clock low, people would adjust Big Ben to the time on their watches. Now that the clock is high, beyond reach, they cannot try to reset it. If they want to have the correct time, they must set their own watches in accordance with the time shown by Big Ben.”

Torah is the Jewish people’s Big Ben. We should always regard it as being on a raised level so that it will not be changed by us mortals. It is the correct “time” for all of us, and we must look up to it, and adjust ourselves to this Divine clock. We may not tamper with it and endeavour to adjust it to our opinion and convenience.

Over Pesach our daughter Miriam turned Bat Mitzvah and she will be having her celebration this Sunday. It is timely message for her, but indeed for everyone who is looking to take some inspiration from Pesach – we should resolve to adjust our lives to Torah and let the authentic teaching of Torah be our guidepost through out our lives.