בס"ד
Probably the characteristic of holiness is the most basic idea in religion. But, what is it? God is considered by definition holy and the closer anything to Him is the more holy it is. Therefore anything that is dedicated or consecrated to God or a religious purpose is reckoned as holy. Conversely profane is the antithesis of holy and the further something is from God, the less holy it is. These would be things that are evil and stained by sin. Since God is perfect in goodness and righteousness, evil would be distant from Him. Sin is the violation of God’s will and the opposition to righteousness.
This idea can be illustrated by a parable similar to the one by Maimonides in, “The Guide for the Perplexed”. In it there is a king in his palace. Some of his subjects have entered the inner chambers of his palace where they are close to the ruler, see him and speak to him. Others are in the capital city where they often come into contact with the king. Further away are those who live in the countryside and only see the king infrequently. Those furthest away live in the wilderness and on distant islands, where contact with the king is a rare act of grace. The king is a metaphor for the holy One, blessed be He. He is the embodiment and the source of all holiness. That which is most holy are the things closest to the King of the universe. The least holy is that which is most distant.
An objection can be raised that since Hashem is everywhere then nothing is closer to Him than anything else. However, holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God. What is the mind of God? The mind of God speaks to us in the Tanakh particularly as recounted by the prophets. It is the habit of agreeing in God's judgment, hating what He hates, loving what He loves, and measuring everything by the standard of His Word. We become holy by clinging to God's ways as revealed in his holy word, the Bible. God calls each of us to mature in his plan for our lives by following the instructions found in sacred texts that are taught by talmedei chachamim.
It is a life of discipline, focus, and attention to matters of righteous living. Such dedication to God transforms our lives to God's glory rather than conforming to the vanities of the moment. This would include our thoughts, words, and actions. In addition there is sanctity of time for example the Jewish holidays, and sanctity of place for example the synagogue and Western Wall. We are called to be holy. This is acquired by Torah study, prayer, and keeping the mitzvahs. As we encounter Hashem in His holiness it is possible for us to see ourselves and the world as they truly are.
לע"נ האמא מלכה בת חיים ז"ל נלב"ע טז ניסן תשנ"ח
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