We Have the Capacity to Be Holy

Kedoshim, the parasha known as the holiness code in the book of Leviticus, outlines how society is to be just and compassionate.  From our observance of Shabbat, to revering our father and mother, to loving the stranger, and to avoiding putting a stumbling block before the blind, each and everyone of the mitzvot mentioned is designed to make us into a more moral society with individuals who can be trusted to act in a manner that is conducive with caring about others not just one’s self.

Deep down I believe we know what happens when judges are bribed, when we treat the have-nots of society as if their lack of economic well-being is only their problem, when we bear grudges, and when we deal deceitfully or falsely with one another. Yet, somehow it is not a given that all people adhere to the same kind of ethical code promoted in Kedoshim.

The code presented reminds us that we are commanded to be holy because G-d is holy.  It does not tell us that we are holy but that we have the capacity to become holy. Something that it is holy is separate from the mundane, but the key in Judaism is not to become holy by becoming separate from others, rather it is to become holy by remaining engaged with others and responding to their needs. Holiness, as stated in our Aytz Chayim chumash, “cuts across all categories of life.”  It deals with rituals, “business ethics, with proper behavior toward the poor and the afflicted, and with family relations….Everything we do has the potential of being holy.”

 

When Hillel was asked to explain the entire Torah on one foot, he responded by saying, “Love your neighbor as yourself, all the rest is commentary.” He based his answer on our parasha’s statement, “Love your fellow as yourself.”  Rabbi Akiva mentioned that commandment as the greatest commandment of all.  In essence, with this in mind, if one is going to strive to be holy, then hate cannot fit into one’s worldview. 

Yet, it is starting to feel as if we’re living at a time when hate is becoming ever present in the language and actions of many.  Hate demeans others, it does not attempt to raise others up.  Hate separates individuals from caring about another’s well-being and about the need for establishing a world that is just.

Is there a way to counteract hate?

How do we best go about spreading the message that our task as human beings is to strive to be holy; to be concerned about the stranger in our midst, not to fear them?

How do we respond to those who spout and act upon hate without succumbing to their own strategies?  Do you believe it is possible to increase the holiness of this world even though we seem to be hearing opposite messages from leaders all over the world?

Specifically, how do we fight anti-Semitism and the bigotry that we currently see rising in the world without giving up our belief that our task in life is to strive to be holy?