Acharei-Mot Kidushim: Of Holiness

While the Torah Portion Acharei-Mot Kidushim contains large parts of the Ten Commandments, it differs from the Ten Commandments. Leviticus 19:2 commands that “You shall be holy, because I, the Lord, your God, am holy.” In contrast, the Decalogue’s first mention of holiness pertains to the Sabbath. In making this assertion, the Tetragrammaton, the four letter word for God, is employed. Implied within this particular name is the notion to “make things happen.” In essence, the word is about action.

Holiness, as a concept, is complex. Richard Elliott Friedman, in his Commentary on the Torah, throws his hands up to define it. He opines is that the chapter [Leviticus 19] merges major commandments of so many sorts. In essence, there is a lot to holiness.

With the Sabbath, the act of a day of rest after a week of productivity is holy. Time, in essence, can be holy. Moses’ Burning Bush theophany, the grounds were holy. Exodus 3:5. With the cultic structures, i.e. holy of holies, a physical structure can be holy. With Kedushim’s pronouncement, humans, via their performance of commandments, can be holy. Actions can transform an individual.

The Torah Portion include a plethora of human activities connected to holiness. They include rising in from of an aged person to show respect, Leviticus 19:32. They also include not doing an injustice in judgment, Leviticus 19:35. They involve loving your neighbor as yourself, Leviticus 19:18. Also, they include leaving portions unharvested and fallen fruit available for the poor and the alien. Leviticus 19:9-10.

The section also contains other significant commandments; some are reiterations of the Decalogue.

Commentary

Perhaps this portion is most relevant in modern society. Many people struggle to find purpose in life. Some embrace identity as a purpose. The notion of holiness can resonate as a personal goal. Many people strive to be a better person. Included within that notion is that one can live their life trying to both elevate one’s self and others. The pursuit begins with a variety of actions. Many of them- in the form of commandments- are spelled out in this Torah Portion. They include being kind to elders and the disabled. They also include being fair to others and not showing favoritism. In essence, holiness is about reflecting upon oneself in terms of treatment and acting upon it in a positive fashion.

Be well!!

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