27 Apr WHAT IS HOLINESS?

The Torah reveals, “V’atem tihiu li mamleches kohanim v’goy kadosh – You, Yisroel, should be to me a kingdom of priests and a Holy nation.” The million dollar question is what exactly does it mean to be Holy? How does one attain such a lofty status?

Our great Rabbis have given us different steps to this worthy aspiration. Rashi equates Kedusha, Holiness, with prishus, separation. He specifically zooms in on the evils of immorality teaching us “Kol makom she’attah motzei geder ervah, sham attah motzei kedusha – Wherever you find a fence against promiscuity, there you will find Holiness.” Thus, in contemporary terms, one who stays away from the immodesties of Netflix and Amazon Prime is taking a big stride towards Kedusha. Of course, Rashi’s definition is not reserved for immorality. One who guards themselves from senseless hated, sinful gossip, and hurtful words is embracing a lifestyle of Holiness.

The Ramban approaches to path to Kedusha in a different way. He says that a person who aspires to Holiness needs to view the world as more than a big amusement park. He or she needs to have an ambition for more than fun in the sun, satisfying the palate, and a host of other material pursuits. The road to Holiness is when a person’s primary focus is on spiritual pursuits and giving nachas to Hashem. In the words of the Sefer Chareidim, life is a sandbox where we rummage around for the pearls which are Torah, mitzahs, and maasim tovim / good deeds.

Rav Shimon Shkop, zt”l, zy”a, in his seminal work Shaarei Yosher, writes in his preface that the definition of Kedusha is being like Hashem, l’heitiv l’acheirim, to do good to others and not to live a self-centered existence. The great Rav Elya Lapian, zt”l, zy”a, explains that the trail to Kedusha is by the means of character perfection.

I would like to add a humble addition. When Klal Yisroel was given the all- important mandate Kedoshim tihiu, to be Holy, it includes the mission to be good through and through and not just on the surface. Thus, only we Jews have commands that practice the control of the mind and the heart. For example, we are exhorted “Lo sisna es achicha bilvavecha – Do not hate your brother even in your heart.” We are commanded lo sachmod, not to covet even mentally that which is not ours. We are warned lo sitar, not to even nurse a grudge in our hearts or in our minds. These Torah expectations do not allow for a superficial attitude but rather one that is wholesome and yes, Holy.

In the merit of our studying this all-important topic, may Hashem bless us with holiness, good health, happiness and everything wonderful.