Yehuda Bachana: Holiness in Every Area of Life [Acharei Mot - Kedoshim 2025]

This week we experienced quite some national chaos, beginning with dramatic decisions regarding the war in Gaza that led to an emergency draft for some 60,000 reservists; and, ending with a missile from Yemen that struck near our main airport, Ben Gurion.

In between, most of the school children stayed home at least partly due to a teacher strike concerning a 3.5% salary cut (whereas government members aim to raise their own salaries).

We just mentioned the shift in the war in Gaza which—in short—aims to conquer Gaza, dismantle Hamas’ rule, and free the remaining hostages. Perhaps for the first time since the beginning of this war, a plan has been presented that includes a new strategy to provide humanitarian aid through private companies to prevent the aid from falling into Hamas’ hands (which would only strengthen their terrorist rule).

The essential difference with the current plan, is that Hamas’ desires and decisions are no longer relevant (unlike previous plans in which Israel hoped that Hamas would surrender or at least come to a viable agreement). Of course, only time will tell if Israel will fully implement this new plan, to end the war, regardless of Hamas’ cooperation.

Stand With Us In Prayer
The State of Israel is in dire need of prayer and intercession, for our dear soldiers and their families, and for our government and military leaders. We also need strong backing from our friends and partners around the world, who will continue to stand up and declare that Israel will never walk alone!

Holiness In The Word Of God

This week’s double Torah Portion, Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, renews the focus on the topic of holiness, as God calls us to be holy. But, what is holiness and how do we apply it?

Holiness is somewhat of a challenging topic, because the concept of holiness goes against the way many of us were raised. As believers, the common viewpoint is that people are born sinners which makes us fundamentally flawed. Wait, but then how can we praise God or study His Word if our essence is unholy?

Defining Holiness

To better understand the topic of holiness it’s important to define its meaning. And so, what or who is holy? According to the Scriptures, ‘holy’ or ‘sanctified’ refers to a person, object, item, or place that’s reserved or designated for God, or belongs to the service of God. ‘Holy’  is another word for something or someone ‘set apart’ for God, from the rest which is considered to be ‘ordinary.’

Holiness isn’t limited to people or their morality. And so, days and holidays can be holy (like the sanctity of the Shabbat), a place can be holy, and holiness can exist in varying levels. For example, the term ‘Holy Land’ refers to the Land of Israel, where there are commandments that apply only to the Land of Israel itself. Within Israel, there is one city holier than the others, which is Jerusalem:

“Put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city.” (Isaiah 52:1)

Within Jerusalem some areas carry greater holiness (like the Temple Mount). Then within the Temple Mount there’s an even more sacred area (the Temple). Inside the Temple was the Holy, and within it was the Holy of Holies—where only the High Priest was allowed to enter once a year on Atonement Day and only after numerous preparations and purification rituals.

The Shabbat and the Biblical festivals are holy. After creating the world for six days, God rested and sanctified the seventh day, which is why we’re commanded to refrain from any work in order to preserve the holiness of the Shabbat. For example:

“There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a day of shabbat rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a shabbat to the Lord.” (Leviticus 23:3)

Being Holy

The key verse in Parashat Acharei Mot-Kedoshim is:

“Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.” (Leviticus 19:2)

which is the heart of all the purity-laws (like the prohibition to eat unclean animals); and even more so, of the moral laws, like the Bible’s high ethical standards to honor our parents and love our neighbor.

Ultimately, we’re set apart from the world as we belong to Him. That’s why the Word of God requires us to live by a different code of conduct. The New Testament also continues the idea of us being called to live in a way that honors God,

“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.” (1 Thessalonians 4:7)

And,

“just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.” (1 Peter 1:15)

As Disciples of Yeshua, God has called us to be pure, holy, and sanctified to God, because our Heavenly Father is holy. This means for us to live out that holiness in our daily walk, by renewing our minds and practicing to think, speak, and behave differently, in a way that honors Him.

What Grants Us Holiness?

That’s exactly what this week’s Torah Portion speaks about, as it points out the requirements for holiness: we shouldn’t steal nor lie, we should save someone in danger, judge fairly, and keep the Shabbat. Then there are some 50 other commandments that fall under the category of ‘holiness’; and it’s from here that Yeshua points out that,

“love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18)

is the most important and fundamental commandment that sums up the heart of the Bible.

Stumbling Block

Holiness also means to

“not put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:14)

A blind person could literally refer to someone who cannot physically see. If that’s the case, placing a stumbling block before them would be an especially cruel joke and even pure evil.

In addition, blindness could also refer to someone who lacks knowledge or information. The Jewish sages recognized this idea, and rightly stated that a ‘blind person’ could also refer to someone who’s ‘blind in a certain matter’ and therefore lacks understanding. In a similar way, someone who seeks our guidance or advice, is somewhat like a blind person who’s looking for directions.

Here we should be extremely careful when we give advice. The verse warns us to “fear your God.” In this context, the ‘blind’ person refers to someone in distress and in need of helpful advice. Deceiving them for personal gain, especially when they rely on the help of others, is like placing a physical stumbling block in front of a blind person walking down the street.

This verse speaks out against taking advantage of others for personal interest. An example would be all those infuriating stories of companies exploiting the naivety of the elderly by selling them unnecessary or overpriced devices, services, and inflated warranties that the company knows they’ll never need, just for the profit. That’s just one example of putting a stumbling block before the blind. And against such cases, the warning to “Fear your God”, serves as a call to pay attention and act carefully in this matter.

How Do We Maintain Holiness?

According to the New Testament and this week’s Torah Portion, we are to preserve holiness in every area of life: from our family-life and our personal relationships, at work and how we do business, or work the land. We maintain holiness not externally (from the outside), and not from a distance (in detachment from society); but rather, in the midst of the hustle and bustle of life and society.

And Within Society?

God warns us not to follow the ways of the Egyptians or the previous inhabitants of the land, because they didn’t maintain purity or holiness. On the contrary, God expelled them because they corrupted and defiled the land. God warns the people — and us — that if we want to merit living in Israel, the Holy Land, we must be careful to follow God's word and the morality within it.

This is all summarized at the end of the portion:

“You shall therefore keep all my statutes and all my rules and do them, that the land where I am bringing you to live may not vomit you out. And you shall not walk in the customs of the nation that I am driving out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I detested them. But I have said to you, ‘You shall inherit their land, and I will give it to you to possess, a land flowing with milk and honey.” (Leviticus 20:22-24)

As a society, may we have the wisdom to preserve the proper moral standard that’s worthy of those created in the image and likeness of God.