Practical Holiness
19: 1-37
When many people think of Torah, they think of it as “The Law!” Which, of course, has a negative connotation. “Don’t break the law!” It sounds strict and unyielding. One reason for this is that many mistakenly understand the Torah to be a long list of “do’s and don’ts.” But the Ruach Ha’Kodesh says: How blessed are those who reject the advice of the wicked, don’t stand in the way of sinners or sit where scoffers sit! Their delight is in ADONAI’s Torah; on His Torah they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams – they bear their fruit in season, their leaves never wither, everything they do succeeds (Psalm 1:1-3). The Torah (Hebrew: teaching) is our blueprint for living. However, the Torah portion before us is one which could certainly leave some with the impression that it is a boring manual of behavior, and a mere list of laws.
At first glance, this truly seems to be the case. I would remind you before we begin that the detailed instructions of Leviticus 19 and 20 are varied and tedious because they represent God’s important and specific instructions to the redeemed community. They concern how we are to walk and how we are to reflect the character of God in this world through His life. These teachings are not to be understood as a grocery list of human behaviors which, if obeyed, will earn one a place in heaven or a “better” standing with the LORD (the Torah was never meant as a means of salvation); or if disobeyed will result in one’s eternity in hell.318
The diversity of material in this chapter reflects the diversity of life. All aspects of human affairs are subject to the commandments of YHVH. The holiness of ADONAI is the bedrock supporting the practical holiness promoted by these mitzvot. Though the specific rationale behind some of the commands may not be clear to the modern reader, the ethical commands of this chapter are not arbitrary but are based on the just, humane, and sensitive treatment of the aged, the handicapped, the poor, the resident alien, the laborer, and others. These mitzvot continually reach behind the outward behavior to inward motivation.319
Chapter 19 may be characterized as a brief Torah (teaching or instruction). It states the duties incumbent on the Israelites as a people and includes a wide range of commandments that are representative of the basic teachings of the Torah. More specifically, it echoes the Ten Words (see the commentary on Deuteronomy, to see link click Bk – The Ten Words). These features were noted by the ancient sages. In Leviticus Rabba 24, we read the following: Speak to the entire Israelite people and say to them “You shall be holy . . .” Rabbi Hiyya taught, “These words inform us that this section is to be read before the people in an assembly. And why is it to be read before the people in an assembly? Because most of the essential mitzvot of the Torah can be derived from it. Rabbi Levi said, “Because the Ten Words are embodied in it.”320
The basic principles of the Ten Words are incorporated into Chapters 18 through 20,
though not in the same order and not always with the same emphasis.
The Ten Commandments Leviticus
1-2 No other gods 18:2 and 19:4
3 Misuse the Name 19:12
4 Observe Shabbat 19:3b
5 Honor father/mother 19:3a
6 Do not murder 19:16b
7 No adultery 18:20 and 20:20
8 Do not steal 19:11a
9 No false witness 19:16a
10 Do not covet 19:18
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