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KEDOSHIM "HOLY" LEV. 1-5:19 BY RABBI ESTHER BOUCHER |
1 Peter 1:13-16
What can a man do to achieve holiness? One might suppose that a great
quest was in order. Biblically speaking there is only one avenue to holiness
that is through sanctification. To be holy, one must first be set apart by
another as holy. We see the principle at work from the very beginning of
Genesis where G-d sets the seventh day aside as holy. The seventh day
itself possessed no intrinsic character of holiness. It was not more
magnificent from the other six; it was made holy on the sole authority of G-d.
A man cannot sanctify himself. Yet G-d can sanctify. We are sanctified by
Messiah, by faith in Messiah, by the sacrifice of messiah, by the blood of
Messiah and by His Holy Spirit. Our separation is not by virtue of our own
heroic achievement. It is Messiah who has set us apart and made us
holy. Our sanctity arises from Messiah’s righteousness. Holiness is
separation. Righteousness is right standing with G-d. The two concepts are
closely related but very different. It is possible to be quite holy on the
exterior without being very righteous at all. Our only true righteousness is the
Messiah’s imputed to us via faith. It is your responsibility to live that
righteousness out, but you cannot increase it. Holiness can be increased or
decreased, by following or transgressing the commandments. It requires
being different than one’s neighbor.
Lev. 19:3
The very first law of holiness is to have reverent fear (respect) for one’s
father and mother. The way we treat our parents is not unrelated to our
attitude about G-d. Contradicting one’s parents in a disrespectful manner,
interrupting their conversation, referring to them by their first names,
speaking sarcastically or disrespectfully to them as if one were their peer
are behaviors, which demonstrate lack of reverence. The second
commandment on holiness is to keep the L-rd’s Sabbaths. Notice it says
Sabbaths. This refers to all the Sabbaths of the biblical festivals. Keeping
G-d’s Sabbaths are a way to show proper reverence for our Heavenly
Father.
Lev. 19:4
The absence of polytheism and images within the worship system makes
the people of G-d unique. These laws reveal G-d in that they teach us His
oneness. He cannot be reduced to an idolatrous representation and His
absoluteness cannot suffer competing gods.
Lev. 19:5-8
One of the laws of holiness is the prohibition not to eat sacrificial meat
beyond the period of time allotted by the Torah. The sanctity of the l-rd’s
sacrifices could not be disregarded. The command to burn up the leftover
meats reveals G-d’s concern for life in His worship. His holy sacrifices are
not to see decay.
Lev. 19:9-10
Caring for the needy is a law of holiness. Eight commandments are derived
from this passage. By biblical law, these commandments apply specifically
to agriculture in the land of Israel. But we could apply them to other business
ventures. As we rely on G-d to prosper our endeavors we must not forget
those that rely o us. The law of leaving the extra for the poor stands out as
different.
Lev. 19:11-12
We are not to steal. We are not to deny it when something of value that
belongs to another is in our possession. When you make an extra effort to
return an item you stand out as different. We are to be scrupulously honest,
recognizing that even copying audio cd’s and software illegally is theft.
Standards of personal integrity will set us apart. We are warned against
deceitful business practices, dealing falsely and lying to one another. We
are to own up to debt we have incurred and take responsibility for them,
especially in a legal contest. A people that hold themselves to a code of
integrity, honesty, and fairness will stand out as different from the average
person. G-d’s reputation is at stake in our dealings.
Lev. 19:13
We are not to defraud another through property and not committing robbery.
G-d is truth G-d is honesty. When we violate these standards, we damage
His reputation because His Name is upon us. When we kept these
standards, we protect His reputation and are set apart from the world. We
are not to delay the wages of an employee.
Lev. 19:14
It is a matter of holiness to treat every person with dignity and respect.
Going out of one’s way to accommodate the needs of the handicapped is
part of holiness. From G-d’s perspective, we are all handicapped in one
way or another, yet He assists us and removes the obstacles from before us.
Lev. 19:15
We are commanded not to pervert evil justice, not to be partial to a litigant at
trial but treat them impartially before the Torah. Whether at home, work in
marriage, in child rearing, in the congregation or out with friends, neighbors,
family, employers, employees, regardless of the situation we find ourselves,
having to make decisions and judgments.
Lev. 19:16
You shall not stand by idly while someone’s blood is being shed. One
should not hesitate to save the life of another in danger. We serve a G-d
who redeems and rescues.
Lev. 19:17
We are not to bear hatred in our heart for another. Though one may struggle
with contempt for another person, one must never let those feelings take the
upper hand. It is a positive command to rebuke a fellow believer in order to
turn him from sin. We need to be careful not to embarrass someone. The
master equated public humiliation with the sin of murder. Evaluate yourself
first so you can see clearly Matt. 7:6.
Lev. 19:18
It is forbidden to avenge oneself, and it is forbidden to carry a grudge. We
are to love one another in forgiveness.
Lev. 19:19
The law forbids the mixture of two kinds of seed or interbreeding different
species of animals. One may sow different seeds on the same patch of
ground as long as the species of plants are kept distinct from one another.
Lev. 19:20-22
Since betrothal carries the status of full marriage under Torah law, the
scenario ordinarily would be construed as adultery and merit a death
sentence. But in this case the woman is not a free agent she is a slave. In
this case the act is a violation of her would be husband’s rights. Because
she is not a free agent in making the betrothal, the betrothal is not regarded
as binding upon her. The man is required to bring a built offering for the
offense of misusing that, which lawfully was titled, to another.
Lev. 19:23-25
Fruit trees planted in Israel are not to be harvested or their fruit eaten for the
first three years. The fourth year was regarded as holy unto the L-rd. It was
taken to Jerusalem during Sukkot and eaten by the owner as part of the
Temple festivities. In the absence of the Temple the farmer redeems
the produce for a sum of money and gives it to the needy. The produce of
the fifth year is Kosher for harvest, sale and consumption. The command is
understood as applying only to fruit trees in the land of Israel.
Lev. 19:26
We are reminded not to eat meat that has not been properly bled. You shall
not eat anything causing bloodshed. Gluttonous eating could be considered
to be eating something that causes bloodshed (not healthy for you).
Prohibition on gluttony and drunkenness. The law of holiness prohibits the
use of the occult arts. This includes using magic signs and omens to
determine the future or obtain information.
Lev. 19:27
It was a pagan, priestly custom to shave the beard and round off the head
(friar tuck). The term side-growth of your heads and edges of your beard
are translated in Hebrew. The commandment is understood as a prohibition
on shaving the hair from the head or using a razor to man one’s beard.
Trimming a beard with scissors was permissible. These two laws have no
intrinsic moral value except to set G-d’s people apart from a pagan context.
The Westernized mind rebels at the idea that G-d would care whether or not
one shaves but if G-d has the authority to determine whether you are allowed
to carry a grudge, He certainly has the authority to tell us how to wear our
hair. G-d desires His people to look different. This doesn’t mean being un-
kept. Races free of facial hair are credited with keeping this command all
the same.
Lev. 19:28
The Torah expressly forbids cutting one’s flesh or getting tattoos. From
ancient times, this practice has been associated with paganism. Branding
of humans and lacerating their flesh is of Satan. We are to act differently,
eat differently, marry differently, work differently, live differently and look
differently.
Lev. 19:29
This command to keep the Sabbaths is repeated this time in conjunction
with the one being reverent toward the Temple. Sadly both the command to
observe the Sabbaths and the command to reverence the Temple are
commonly disregarded today. A proper reverence for G-d’s Holy House will
help us attain a proper reverence for the people of G-d, the body of
Messiah and the eternal heavenly sanctuary all of which represented by the
earthly Temple.
Lev. 19:30
The Torah forbids prostitution. This commandment is addressed to
parents. We are not to profane our daughters but protect and provide for
them until a suitable marriage can be arranged for her. Prostitution is
regarded by the Torah as lewdness, depravity and wickedness. It is
forbidden by the Torah and is sin. Pornography is a modern form of
prostitution. As holy people we are not to be feasting our eyes on the
unclean lewdness of the pagan world or tantalizing our flesh with their
lewdness.
Lev. 19:31
The Torah forbids employing mediums and spiritualist. They are associated
with death.
Lev. 19:32
The commandment of rising before the elderly and showing respect for the
aged is tied to revering your G-d. If we are unable to honor our seniors,
neither will we find reverence for G-d within us.
Lev. 19:33-34
We are to love the stranger as our self. Jews are commanded to love non-
Jews among them. These are the brothers and sisters from the nations that
have chosen the messiah of Israel and the Torah as a matter of choice
rather than family legacy. G-d has a special love for those who have
sacrificed their former way of life in order to follow His Son and keep His
commandments. We are to therefore responsible to demonstrate an
attitude of love to all mankind. We are to be markedly different from the rest
of the world by our attitudes of love. We must learn to hold attitudes of love.
We must learn to hold tightly to our high standards of holiness without
passing judgment upon those who do not. We must show acceptance while
demonstrating the way of righteousness. Love does no harm to its
neighbor.
Lev. 19:35-37
Laws of holiness have a prohibition to cheat or defraud with false weights
and measures. We must be honest in our business affairs, prices,
discounts, sales, advertising claims and so on. Holiness demands integrity.
We must strive to judge others and ourselves with an equal standard. It is a
difficult task. Our tendency is to cut ourselves a lot of slack while viewing
others with a very critical eye. We are to be fair and careful.
Lev. 20
Most of Lev. 20 is a prescription of punishment for the transgressions of
commandments. Not every punishment is to be administered by the court.
Some seem to be expressly reserved for the heavenly court. Some seem to
be expressly reserved for the heavenly court. The Torah’s demand of
capital punishment for certain sins seem objectionable to us because we
are not willing to admit the seriousness of sin. If we apply the standard of
equal weights and measures, we will have to acknowledge that a death
penalty in this life is far more lenient than eternal damnation. We are not to
imitate the ways or customs of idolaters. As children of G-d and followers
of Messiah, we are to be a totally different breed of people. We have been
separated by the One who separates. He declares I AM THE L-RD your G-
D, who has separated you from the peoples. This message is important for
both Jewish and non-Jewish believers. The Jew must remember he is not of
the nations. He must not seek to hide his identity. The Gentile is no longer a
child of a pagan nation, but has been born again into the people of Israel,
set apart from the Gentile world. We are to regard ourselves as aliens
among the nations. I Peter 2:11-12
What can a man do to achieve holiness? One might suppose that a great
quest was in order. Biblically speaking there is only one avenue to holiness
that is through sanctification. To be holy, one must first be set apart by
another as holy. We see the principle at work from the very beginning of
Genesis where G-d sets the seventh day aside as holy. The seventh day
itself possessed no intrinsic character of holiness. It was not more
magnificent from the other six; it was made holy on the sole authority of G-d.
A man cannot sanctify himself. Yet G-d can sanctify. We are sanctified by
Messiah, by faith in Messiah, by the sacrifice of messiah, by the blood of
Messiah and by His Holy Spirit. Our separation is not by virtue of our own
heroic achievement. It is Messiah who has set us apart and made us
holy. Our sanctity arises from Messiah’s righteousness. Holiness is
separation. Righteousness is right standing with G-d. The two concepts are
closely related but very different. It is possible to be quite holy on the
exterior without being very righteous at all. Our only true righteousness is the
Messiah’s imputed to us via faith. It is your responsibility to live that
righteousness out, but you cannot increase it. Holiness can be increased or
decreased, by following or transgressing the commandments. It requires
being different than one’s neighbor.
Lev. 19:3
The very first law of holiness is to have reverent fear (respect) for one’s
father and mother. The way we treat our parents is not unrelated to our
attitude about G-d. Contradicting one’s parents in a disrespectful manner,
interrupting their conversation, referring to them by their first names,
speaking sarcastically or disrespectfully to them as if one were their peer
are behaviors, which demonstrate lack of reverence. The second
commandment on holiness is to keep the L-rd’s Sabbaths. Notice it says
Sabbaths. This refers to all the Sabbaths of the biblical festivals. Keeping
G-d’s Sabbaths are a way to show proper reverence for our Heavenly
Father.
Lev. 19:4
The absence of polytheism and images within the worship system makes
the people of G-d unique. These laws reveal G-d in that they teach us His
oneness. He cannot be reduced to an idolatrous representation and His
absoluteness cannot suffer competing gods.
Lev. 19:5-8
One of the laws of holiness is the prohibition not to eat sacrificial meat
beyond the period of time allotted by the Torah. The sanctity of the l-rd’s
sacrifices could not be disregarded. The command to burn up the leftover
meats reveals G-d’s concern for life in His worship. His holy sacrifices are
not to see decay.
Lev. 19:9-10
Caring for the needy is a law of holiness. Eight commandments are derived
from this passage. By biblical law, these commandments apply specifically
to agriculture in the land of Israel. But we could apply them to other business
ventures. As we rely on G-d to prosper our endeavors we must not forget
those that rely o us. The law of leaving the extra for the poor stands out as
different.
Lev. 19:11-12
We are not to steal. We are not to deny it when something of value that
belongs to another is in our possession. When you make an extra effort to
return an item you stand out as different. We are to be scrupulously honest,
recognizing that even copying audio cd’s and software illegally is theft.
Standards of personal integrity will set us apart. We are warned against
deceitful business practices, dealing falsely and lying to one another. We
are to own up to debt we have incurred and take responsibility for them,
especially in a legal contest. A people that hold themselves to a code of
integrity, honesty, and fairness will stand out as different from the average
person. G-d’s reputation is at stake in our dealings.
Lev. 19:13
We are not to defraud another through property and not committing robbery.
G-d is truth G-d is honesty. When we violate these standards, we damage
His reputation because His Name is upon us. When we kept these
standards, we protect His reputation and are set apart from the world. We
are not to delay the wages of an employee.
Lev. 19:14
It is a matter of holiness to treat every person with dignity and respect.
Going out of one’s way to accommodate the needs of the handicapped is
part of holiness. From G-d’s perspective, we are all handicapped in one
way or another, yet He assists us and removes the obstacles from before us.
Lev. 19:15
We are commanded not to pervert evil justice, not to be partial to a litigant at
trial but treat them impartially before the Torah. Whether at home, work in
marriage, in child rearing, in the congregation or out with friends, neighbors,
family, employers, employees, regardless of the situation we find ourselves,
having to make decisions and judgments.
Lev. 19:16
You shall not stand by idly while someone’s blood is being shed. One
should not hesitate to save the life of another in danger. We serve a G-d
who redeems and rescues.
Lev. 19:17
We are not to bear hatred in our heart for another. Though one may struggle
with contempt for another person, one must never let those feelings take the
upper hand. It is a positive command to rebuke a fellow believer in order to
turn him from sin. We need to be careful not to embarrass someone. The
master equated public humiliation with the sin of murder. Evaluate yourself
first so you can see clearly Matt. 7:6.
Lev. 19:18
It is forbidden to avenge oneself, and it is forbidden to carry a grudge. We
are to love one another in forgiveness.
Lev. 19:19
The law forbids the mixture of two kinds of seed or interbreeding different
species of animals. One may sow different seeds on the same patch of
ground as long as the species of plants are kept distinct from one another.
Lev. 19:20-22
Since betrothal carries the status of full marriage under Torah law, the
scenario ordinarily would be construed as adultery and merit a death
sentence. But in this case the woman is not a free agent she is a slave. In
this case the act is a violation of her would be husband’s rights. Because
she is not a free agent in making the betrothal, the betrothal is not regarded
as binding upon her. The man is required to bring a built offering for the
offense of misusing that, which lawfully was titled, to another.
Lev. 19:23-25
Fruit trees planted in Israel are not to be harvested or their fruit eaten for the
first three years. The fourth year was regarded as holy unto the L-rd. It was
taken to Jerusalem during Sukkot and eaten by the owner as part of the
Temple festivities. In the absence of the Temple the farmer redeems
the produce for a sum of money and gives it to the needy. The produce of
the fifth year is Kosher for harvest, sale and consumption. The command is
understood as applying only to fruit trees in the land of Israel.
Lev. 19:26
We are reminded not to eat meat that has not been properly bled. You shall
not eat anything causing bloodshed. Gluttonous eating could be considered
to be eating something that causes bloodshed (not healthy for you).
Prohibition on gluttony and drunkenness. The law of holiness prohibits the
use of the occult arts. This includes using magic signs and omens to
determine the future or obtain information.
Lev. 19:27
It was a pagan, priestly custom to shave the beard and round off the head
(friar tuck). The term side-growth of your heads and edges of your beard
are translated in Hebrew. The commandment is understood as a prohibition
on shaving the hair from the head or using a razor to man one’s beard.
Trimming a beard with scissors was permissible. These two laws have no
intrinsic moral value except to set G-d’s people apart from a pagan context.
The Westernized mind rebels at the idea that G-d would care whether or not
one shaves but if G-d has the authority to determine whether you are allowed
to carry a grudge, He certainly has the authority to tell us how to wear our
hair. G-d desires His people to look different. This doesn’t mean being un-
kept. Races free of facial hair are credited with keeping this command all
the same.
Lev. 19:28
The Torah expressly forbids cutting one’s flesh or getting tattoos. From
ancient times, this practice has been associated with paganism. Branding
of humans and lacerating their flesh is of Satan. We are to act differently,
eat differently, marry differently, work differently, live differently and look
differently.
Lev. 19:29
This command to keep the Sabbaths is repeated this time in conjunction
with the one being reverent toward the Temple. Sadly both the command to
observe the Sabbaths and the command to reverence the Temple are
commonly disregarded today. A proper reverence for G-d’s Holy House will
help us attain a proper reverence for the people of G-d, the body of
Messiah and the eternal heavenly sanctuary all of which represented by the
earthly Temple.
Lev. 19:30
The Torah forbids prostitution. This commandment is addressed to
parents. We are not to profane our daughters but protect and provide for
them until a suitable marriage can be arranged for her. Prostitution is
regarded by the Torah as lewdness, depravity and wickedness. It is
forbidden by the Torah and is sin. Pornography is a modern form of
prostitution. As holy people we are not to be feasting our eyes on the
unclean lewdness of the pagan world or tantalizing our flesh with their
lewdness.
Lev. 19:31
The Torah forbids employing mediums and spiritualist. They are associated
with death.
Lev. 19:32
The commandment of rising before the elderly and showing respect for the
aged is tied to revering your G-d. If we are unable to honor our seniors,
neither will we find reverence for G-d within us.
Lev. 19:33-34
We are to love the stranger as our self. Jews are commanded to love non-
Jews among them. These are the brothers and sisters from the nations that
have chosen the messiah of Israel and the Torah as a matter of choice
rather than family legacy. G-d has a special love for those who have
sacrificed their former way of life in order to follow His Son and keep His
commandments. We are to therefore responsible to demonstrate an
attitude of love to all mankind. We are to be markedly different from the rest
of the world by our attitudes of love. We must learn to hold attitudes of love.
We must learn to hold tightly to our high standards of holiness without
passing judgment upon those who do not. We must show acceptance while
demonstrating the way of righteousness. Love does no harm to its
neighbor.
Lev. 19:35-37
Laws of holiness have a prohibition to cheat or defraud with false weights
and measures. We must be honest in our business affairs, prices,
discounts, sales, advertising claims and so on. Holiness demands integrity.
We must strive to judge others and ourselves with an equal standard. It is a
difficult task. Our tendency is to cut ourselves a lot of slack while viewing
others with a very critical eye. We are to be fair and careful.
Lev. 20
Most of Lev. 20 is a prescription of punishment for the transgressions of
commandments. Not every punishment is to be administered by the court.
Some seem to be expressly reserved for the heavenly court. Some seem to
be expressly reserved for the heavenly court. The Torah’s demand of
capital punishment for certain sins seem objectionable to us because we
are not willing to admit the seriousness of sin. If we apply the standard of
equal weights and measures, we will have to acknowledge that a death
penalty in this life is far more lenient than eternal damnation. We are not to
imitate the ways or customs of idolaters. As children of G-d and followers
of Messiah, we are to be a totally different breed of people. We have been
separated by the One who separates. He declares I AM THE L-RD your G-
D, who has separated you from the peoples. This message is important for
both Jewish and non-Jewish believers. The Jew must remember he is not of
the nations. He must not seek to hide his identity. The Gentile is no longer a
child of a pagan nation, but has been born again into the people of Israel,
set apart from the Gentile world. We are to regard ourselves as aliens
among the nations. I Peter 2:11-12
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