Crossing the boundaries of holiness

Rabbi Ilan Raanan

Yeshiva College Shul

The murky waters are not merely geographic. Are we looking at saviours or extortionists who cram hundreds into barely seaworthy vessels? Are we witness to the “average” terrorists fighting for national goals and religious values or deranged religious fanatics? 

The question of boundaries doesn’t only arise (in these instances thankfully) far away. It nags us in the closest way: am I my child’s parent or friend?

In the second part of the double portion we read, Kedoshim, we are instructed to “be holy”.  Our Sages explain: “Sanctify yourself with that which is permitted.” An insight by Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein ob”m, the rosh yeshiva of Har Etzion who passed away last week, into the perplexing death of the saintly sons of Aharon the High Priest at the beginning of the first part of our double portion, Acharei Mot, provides a profound insight into the words of our Sages and perhaps an orientation to the questions posed.

The verse that describes their death according to most commentators simply provides the timeframe of their death “when they came close to G-d”. However, the verse could also be understood as “because they came close to G-d”. 

While the former interpretation leaves us guessing what their guilt was, the latter is perplexing: Surely closeness to G-d should give life not death!? 

The narrative of this episode comes at the end of those portions of the Book of Leviticus, the “Doctrine of Priests”, that provide boundaries as to what priests may not do. After the initial portions detail the numerous types of offerings to G-d priests would officiate at, the “Doctrine” goes on to detail limitations. Aharon’s sons crossed a boundary. Caught up in the spirit of the moment they came too close!

In a narrow sense the “Doctrine of Priests” explains the duties of Aharon’s descendants. However, in the broader context of our calling, as G-d’s Chosen People, to become an international, illuminating beacon as a “Kingdom of Priests, the latter half of the Book of Leviticus instructs us how to build a model moral society for all to emulate. 

Holiness is central to this as it is all about “sanctifying that which is permitted” – where “that which is permitted” provides the parameters of holy life, both in terms of scope and extent. In terms of scope there is no area of our lives that should remain mundane. 

Everything permitted needs to be sanctified. However, there are also boundaries to what extent they should be sanctified. While Aharon’s sons exemplified the former, they crossed a boundary in terms of the latter.

The calling for mankind to sanctify life starts with respecting boundaries. There are geographic boundaries and ethical boundaries. There are boundaries established by religious expectations and appropriate roles within relationships. 

In order to create genuine sanctity, these boundaries have to be balanced and carefully thought out, both in terms of scope and extent. From headline news to the way we interact with those near and dear, there is much to learn from the tragic death of Aharon’s sons, “because they came close to G-d” and crossed boundaries.