Portion of the Week

This week is a double portion:  Acharei Mot/Kedoshim.  We are in the middled of the book of Leviticus.  The double portion (meaning that two portions are read during one week) is dictated by the calendar.

For the past several weeks, I have been focusing on the commentary of Rashi, whose commentaries on the Torah are considered authoritative.  I want to continue to focus on Rashi's commentary on the opening verses of chapter 18.    Verse 4/5 reads:  "Carry out My judgments and observe My decrees to follow them...you shall observe My decrees and My judgements..."  What is the difference between "decrees" and "judgements?"

According to Rashi the 'decrees" (in Hebrew mishpatim) laws that even if not mentioned specifically in the Torah would be followed by man because because they are so obvious and make so much.   An example:  thou shall not kill.

The "judgements" (in Hebrew, chukim) are those things, says Rashi, about which the evil inclination might be inclined to cause us to say, "why should we observe them?"  An example:  the prohibition against eating pork.