What does it mean to be "Holy?" (Leviticus 19:1-20:27)

[Jacob Ben Avraham]

Parasha: Kedoshim (Holy Ones) Leviticus 19:1-20:27


Chapter 19 starts with the words; "Ye shall be Holy for I am Holy". When we look at the original Hebrew we read; "Amarta Aleichem Kadoshim ti'hiyu Ki Kadosh Ani" But there is something different in the two words; "Kadoshim" (ones who are holy) and Kadosh (Holy ONE). The word "Be ye Holy" in the original Hebrew has 5 letters, and the word "Kadosh" has 4 letters. The biggest difference is that the "o" in "Kadoshim" is not present, but it IS present in "Kadosh". If we write these words in English, they would be "Kadshim" and "Kadosh" Why? There is a missing letter "Vav"

The "vav" is pronounced as either "v" "o" or "u". It symbolizes the "nail". Perfect Holiness without sin is only Adonai! He alone has the "vav" He took the "nail" for our sins. Our Holiness is lacking, we are not perfect as we have the sin nature, therefore, our Holiness can not carry the "Vav"

Some people have the wrong idea about the word "Holy" or "Holiness". Some might think it is to be almost sinless and perfect like God, yet only God is 100% Holy, as explained using the letter "Vav". Yet in reality, the word "Kadosh" or "Holy" is to be "separate". Separated from the lost world of perdition and set aside to do the work of God. God separated the people of Israel, as he has separated ALL believers, to do His work and to abide by HIS commandments. When we live a lifestyle based on His commandments, we are revealing a "Holy" lifestyle to those around us and thus we can be a good witnessing tool to the lost. We have been "saved" by faith to walk in "holiness. "

The first thing that is said is: "Honor your mother and father and keep my sabbaths" We see that God starts with family relationships, honoring those who have raised us, and to rest on the Sabbath. What a wonderful way to spend the Sabbath, being with our families and just enjoying the company of Mom and Dad (if they are still alive) and If not, with our siblings, brothers, sisters, and other family members.

Chapter 19 deals with quite a variety of commandments; "You shall not profane the name of the LORD thy YHVH; You shall love thy neighbor as thyself, I AM YHVH". All of the 613 commandments of God have to do with honoring YHVH and our relationship with our fellow man. When we honor and love the LORD with all of our heart, we are honoring and not profaning the Name YHVH. When we honor and treat our fellow man well and try to establish a good relationship with him or her, we are, in a matter of sense, keeping the whole Torah, (in a general sense). When we are a bad witness before our fellow man, when we are an embarrassment because our sins are brought into the light, then, we are profaning the name of YHVH.

" You shall not curse the deaf nor put a stumbling block before the blind" (19:14) When one talks about another in a negative sense or spreads an "untruth" and the "other" cannot hear what is being said, it is as if that person is "deaf". We need to be honest and truthful. If we have something we wish to discuss with a person, we need to do it face-to-face, and not behind the back.

When we misrepresent the Truth of God, teach or spread false teaching whether on purpose or by error, we are in a way a "stumbling block" before someone who does not know Yeshua "The blind" (spiritually).

"You shall not sow your field with mixed seed" (19:19) because each plant takes away from the soil nutrients, planting a mixture of crops will very soon deplete the soil of all of its nutrients, thus weakening the soil. Another example is plowing with an ox and a donkey, mixing fabrics (linen and wool) An ox is stronger than a donkey, and will make the donkey suffer under unneeded stress. The wool will shrink and pull away from the linen, thus ruining the fabric. We are talking about being "unequally yoked". The same can be said about a marriage, a business association, etc.

"You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor TATTOO any marks on you I AM YHVH! That is quite a statement. I am of the opinion that if God wanted us to have tattoos on our bodies, we would have been born with them. Why can't people be happy with the bodies God gave them? Why do they have to alter them with drawings and markings? But such was the custom of the pagan cultures like the Canaanites, Moabites, etc., and it continues today. However, the blood of Yeshua covers, cleanses, and forgives ALL sin, even the sin of tattooing, yet tattooing is one sin that will leave its mark forever! (unless it is somehow removed)

" uncovering the nakedness of ...." This is another way of saying, "having sex" Chapter 20 takes up that topic again along with other topics. Adultery, under Torah's command, resulted in the death penalty, if this were effective today, how many couples would be true to each other? Perhaps many more than we imagine. It seems like sexuality is a serious issue with our creator. If it is serious with Him, it should be with us as well.

When we follow the Torah of Adonai and put his commandments into practice with all of our heart, we are consecrating ourselves to Him, as "Kedoshim and Tzadikim" (holy and righteous ones) however always remember, that "SALVATION" comes ONLY through FAITH IN YESHUA! It is our faith in HIM that makes us Holy and Righteous, and this relationship leads us to Holy and Righteous works, which are obedience to his mitzvoth (commandments)

[Hawkins]

Righteousness is relative to Law or Covenant. It's thus measurable either by Law, or by Covenant. In front of God's true Law, no human can be righteous just as said, "no one is righteous, not even one". However, Christians under the New Covenant are deemed righteous due to their faith.

Holiness on the other hand, is Law or Covenant independant. It is about how much you are like Jesus and God. You are deemed holy as long as you are striving towards the likeness of Jesus and God. It can be a mission throughout the rest of one's life.

As Paul put,
Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.