[Avodah] big 3

[Micha Berger]

On Wed, Jul 15, 2020 at 09:50:41AM +0000, Rich, Joel via Avodah wrote:
> We learned that there are three mitzvot that a Jew is always required
> to give up his life for rather than violate the transgressions of idol
> worship, murder or forbidden sexual relations. Is there one overarching
> theme that links these three transgressions that explains why these and
> not others (e.g. shabbat, brit)?

One is the greatest violation of Torah, one of Avodah, and one of
Gemilus Chassadim.

AZ as the inverse of Avodah and Murder as the inverse of Gema"ch shouldn't
need elaboration.

As for arayos...

In the Maharal's commentary on that mishnah, he describes the three
amudei olam as a relationship with one's soul, with G-d and with
other people. Torah perfects the relatiosionship with oneself. Whereas
someone who pursues arayos turns that self into a menuval. Torah is
about perfection of the mind, middos and the rest of the soul. Arayos
is about giving up on all that and just answering to the body.

Living cannot be at the expense of an axe to a pillar one's life
stands on.

Tir'u baTov!
-Micha

-- 
Micha Berger                 Nothing so soothes our vanity as a display of
http://www.aishdas.org/asp   greater vanity in others; it makes us vain,
Author: Widen Your Tent      in fact, of our modesty.
- https://amzn.to/2JRxnDF            -Louis Kronenberger, writer (1904-1980)