This week’s Torah portion from Leviticus is difficult reading. Instead of stories of God’s great actions on behalf of our people, soaring encouragement about his love for us, or even anecdotes concerning the comings and goings of the patriarchs, we get a list of rules. Lots of rules.
“The thirtieth reading from the Torah and seventh reading from Leviticus is named Kedoshim (קדושים), which mean “holy.” The title comes from the words in Leviticus 19:2, which says, “You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.” Leviticus 19 describes the holy community through a series of specific commandments. Leviticus 20 warns against the snares of sexual immorality and idolatry, mandating a death penalty for certain sins. Except in biblical leap years, Kedoshim is read on the same Sabbath as the previous reading, Acharei Mot”. (Taken from First Fruits of Zion)
