Kedoshim

The Holiness Code continues with laws concerning interpersonal relationships and modes of behavior. Some of these laws echo the Ten Commandments and deal with such matters as reverence for parents, the Sabbath, idolatry, stealing and deceitful conduct, false oaths and the identification of God as the redeemer from the slavery of Egypt. Other laws of secular and religious nature touch upon agriculture, testimony, social ethics and certain rituals connected with sacrifice. In the second part of the portion, the Torah reiterates its concern with the family in a religious context and reformulates rules previously stated concerning incest and forbidden sexual activity. Here, however, the rules are presented from a slightly different perspective. The portion concludes with an admonition that possession of the land of Israel will be dependent upon faithfully observing these laws of holiness in this portion.