Summary of parashat Kedoshim
The Kedoshim section begins with the phrase "You shall be holy, for I, God your Lord, am holy"; this is followed by dozens of Mitzvot (Divine commandments) through which the Jew sanctifies himself and relates to the holiness of God.
These include: the prohibition against idolatry, the mitzvah of charity, the principle of equality before the law, Shabbat, sexual morality, honesty in business, honor and fear of parents, and the importance of life.
Also in Kedoshim is found the phrase that the great Rabbi Akiva taught as a cardinal principle of the Jewish faith, and about which Hillel said: "This is the whole Torah, the rest is commentary" - Love your neighbor as yourself."
