Universal Oneness United Faith Canada

Operating as Universal Oneness Spiritual Center

RABBI’S WEEKLY MESSAGE

April 25, 2026

The summary of all – love your neighbor as yourself

Greetings friends

Did you take a moment to honor Yom Ha’Zikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, immediately followed by its Independence Day, Yom Ha’atzmaut?  A celebration to be seen; to be felt.  While much of the world seeks its destruction, many will fight for its existence because it is the safe homeland of a people no one wants.  Long may Israel be that lone bastion on the hill of adversity, a lighthouse for the Jewish people the world over to see, to reach for, to cling to in a world of ever-growing anti-semitism, a world gone wrong.  For those who have never been to Israel, do go.  You will be transported to a land where the past meets the future, where the roots of civilization have blossomed into the realm of possibility.  Forget hatred, move past fear.  It stems from jealousy.  It always has and will continue to.
 
We are in another week of celebration—for celebrating anniversaries and birthdays like Snoopy’s and Brett’s, and of course, many are waiting for Star Wars Day—to be able to say May the 4th be with you, and these simply lead us to the great holiday celebrating Mother’s Day coming in two weeks.  Start thinking now; don’t wait.
 
This week we read another two-part reading in our race to finish the handbook of the priest Acharei Mot and Kedoshim, After the Death and Holiness, and it makes a much better single title than to be viewed individually.  After death, holy tells us what we do.  We beatify those we lose rather than tell them what they mean while they are here to hear us.
 
But the reading is not about that great combined message.  In it we are reminded of the holidays, especially the Day of Atonement and its invitation to look within and to see ourselves, and we get to find out what holiness is.
 
Holiness is an interesting word.  What does it mean? We all use it.  Is it a state—we hear about the state of holiness, does it make you high, give you an altered sense of reality?
 
Is it a philosophy, maybe a respect for things?  Is it a belief?  Is it a religious experience? Is it catchable?  Well, for biblical man, it was.  It was the other side of the contagion of disease, but that’s for another day.
 
What does a holy person look like?  Do you picture a priest or a nun?  Maybe a preacher?  Perhaps, like in Annie Hall, you imagine a Chassidic Jew with a full beard, payes – the side locks, and black hat.
 
It is none of those things. And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and you shall say to them: You shall be holy, because I, the Lord, your God, am holy.”
 
There you have it. You simply are holy because G0d is holy and we are made from G0d and each and every one of us contains the G0d gene within.
 
If one had to choose only one chapter out of the Torah to make known, it might well be this one.
 
The strange mixing of so many different kinds of commandments may convey that every commandment is important. Even if we are naturally inclined to regard some commandments as more important than others, even ones we may question.
 
Look at what is put together.
 
You shall each fear his mother and his father, and you shall observe my Sabbaths.
Do not turn to idols, and you shall not make molten gods for yourselves.
When you reap your land’s harvest, you shall not finish harvesting your field’s corner, and you shall not gather your harvest’s gleaning.  And you shall not strip your vineyard, and you shall not collect the vineyard’s fallen fruit.  You shall leave them for the poor and for the alien.
You shall not steal, and you shall not lie, and you shall not act false, each against his fellow.
You shall not swear by my name falsely, so that you would desecrate your God’s name.
You shall not exploit your neighbor, and you shall not rob.  An employee’s wages shall not stay through the night with you until morning.
You shall not curse a deaf person, and you shall not place a stumbling block in front of a blind person. And you shall fear your God.
 
And perhaps most famous, from Leviticus 19:18 — And you shall love your neighbor as yourself.
 
No truer words were ever spoken.  Often attributed to Jesus, who was simply quoting Leviticus.  We are all connected, and so we need to love our neighbor as ourselves, or we demonstrate that we do not love ourselves, and you cannot love another until you love you.
 
Keep practicing forgiveness, and use this time to continue to forgive those you need to forgive, and ask forgiveness from those you need to seek forgiveness from, and give thanks and celebrate your freedom and joy; do not succumb to fear. Please feel free to share this audio and video with anyone you think might enjoy it, and, of course, enjoy all of our past audio and video episodes available on our YouTube channel. This episode will be posted on our channel. Click here to watch the Rabbi David Gellman Show in the 2026 cycle.
 
And if you are one of the people this was sent to by a friend and want to receive it yourself, let me know. I will add you to my mailing list.  Thank you all for allowing me into your homes, electronic devices, and into your hearts, as you are all with me in mine.
 
Be well, be happy, be healthy, be free, be kind, be forgiving, be compassionate, be independent of mind and deed, be mindful of your intentions, and be good to yourself.  Continue to celebrate freedom of choice in your life and do not give in to the fear that is so prevalent, and enjoy the peace that comes from acceptance. As always, if you have any questions, suggestions, or just want to say “hi,” please send me an email.  I love hearing from you.
 
Remember, anytime you do not want to receive these anymore, please send me an email so I can remove you.  And know that I truly appreciate your sharing your sacred time with me.  Enjoy and celebrate your life and the lives of others, and in doing so, be safe, my friends, be happy, and may you all sow the seeds of, and reap the rewards of, peace, love, and miracles, and make sure you also celebrate your unique individuality and your incredible awesomeness.
 
Your world is what you make it, so think about what you want.  Just wish upon a star, and continue to be a miracle in someone’s life, and light the light of love.  May the year bring all your hopes, dreams, and wishes to fruition.
  
Blessings
 
RD

www.rabbidavidgellman.com

Respecting our past; Putting faith in your future.

Click to see newsletters and commentaries from the Rabbi:

–

www.rabbidavidgellman.com

Respecting our past; Putting faith in your future

 Please email for the link to the weekly Online Shabbat Service

 See the Rabbi David Gellman YouTube Channel