As a Jew in the 21st century, is holiness a concept that has any meaning to us or is it simply a relic of our history and a subject that we read about in books?
Even if it does have meaning to us, is it even possible to achieve holiness in Boston, or is it perhaps restricted to some abstract remote place in the Far East?
Reading this you probably are thinking, okay time to get back to the New York Times, in other words the ideal of holiness is probably not even something that we seek to have on our radar. Yet in truth, perhaps this is because of the wrong definition of holiness that many tend to assume. When we think of holiness, it brings to mind all kinds of places in the globe which remind us of holiness from the past or some mystical allure of the present. It also might make us think of places in nature that are conducive to lofty spiritual and uplifting experiences that allow us to escape from reality and be something different.
Perhaps it is precisely because we perceive of holiness in such terms, that holiness is not a part of our to-do list and something we think has nothing to do with our lives.
Perhaps when holiness is seen through a Jewish lens, we can understand why holiness is actually an essential part of our to do list and a goal that actually might speak to us even in 2014.
In fact, it is actually this idea which forms the theme and message of this week’s Torah portion “Kedoshim”. The portion which includes two instructions about the need for people to be holy goes on to enumerate dozens of instructions and Mitzvot which are related to a wide range of ideas. Business ethics, paying workers, agriculture laws, taking care of poor people, methods of remembering G-d in various elements of our lives, caring for our neighbors, treating your parents with awe, and a whole lot more are just some of the many Mitzvot that are taught in this week’s portion.
In other words, the portion is telling us that holiness is not an abstract concept and feel good sentiment that one can feel in some special place or when in some detached frame of mind. Rather, holiness is a state of being that is a reflection of the manner in which we live the small details of our lives and conduct our interactions with others. In fact the Talmud links simple matters like washing our hands when we eat bread to the verses that describe holiness in this week’s portion.
Dealing honestly when we conduct transactions, paying our employees correctly, helping those in need, a fair justice system, and following directions in various small details of our lives, are in fact the path to achieving a holiness that is not just a lofty sensory feeling, but rather a it is a state of being that is a reflection of life that is lived in sync with G-d’s wishes for us, and a life that is lived in sync with the needs of our inner soul.
Yes, there are places like synagogues and places in nature that are conducive to connecting with that deeper sentiment, and there are actions such as prayer, charity and study which help us feel different from how we feel on a typical day. Ultimately however, Judaism's message is that living an ethical, moral and just life in the small details of life in a manner that is in sync with Torah and Judaism’s values, is the most direct path to living a life that is not only meaningful, fulfilling, and purposeful, it is also Holy in the truest sense of the word!
Not disposing of food wrappers on the beach, refraining from a disparaging remark about a colleague, being nice to the clerk who packs our bags, abstaining from that juicy lobster, lighting candles on Friday night, and a whole host of other little details of life are in truth the high powered locations and opportunities that allow us to incorporate holiness into our lives.
Shabbat Shalom
Yisroel