In this week’s Torah portion (Acharei Mot-Kedoshim), we find the words “you should be holy”. Holiness by nature means to separate oneself from and to transcend the surrounding culture, as succinctly stated in our Torah portion: “Like the practice of the land of Egypt, in which you dwelled, you shall not do, and like the practice of the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you, you shall not do, and you shall not follow their statutes.”
As human beings, we have a tendency to equate the usual with the normal; we equate normalcy with fitting in and doing as everyone else does. The Torah teaches us that in reality, human beings, who are created in G-d’s image, are in a state of normalcy when being holy, when being transcendental.
We all want to fit in, either with Egypt- the superpower, the majority- or with Canaan- the counterculture, the underdog. The Torah teaches us that we must transcend both. We must realize our holiness by transcending the regular and holding ourselves to a higher standard.
With this transcendence of ego and sense of fitting in, we will be able to achieve the famous dictum of our Torah portion: “Love your fellow as yourself”!
So, don’t be afraid, be different, it is this difference that makes you normal!
Shabbat shalom!❤️
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