When considering what it takes to be a holy person, many envision someone who undertakes extreme challenges of epic proportions. This would include abstaining from the pleasures of this world and elevating yourself above the day to day life and its routine. However, in our parashah - Kedoshim, which focuses on the theme of holiness, we learn that holiness is achieved not by separation. Rather it is achieved through sanctifying actions in this world, including the most mundane aspects of day to day life. The small, seemingly trivial actions elevate us and shape us into a holy community. The parashah lists myriad examples of this and concludes by saying that we must follow these guidelines of holiness or the land of Israel will reject us... This concept is indeed resonant throughout the Torah as God wants us to think about the little things. The question begs, aside from being closer to God, what exactly do we gain from being holy on a practical level?
Our Haftarah1 gives us the answer. I…
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