קְדֹשִׁים תִׁהְיוּ - “You should be holy...”
[Beginning of parshas Kedoshim]
Ask around your Shabbos table: In this verse, Hashem explains that the reason why we should be “Kedoshim” is because He is “Kadosh”. Why is there such a connection?
A Possible Answer
In his commentary on parshas Shemini (11:44), Rashi explains why Hashem is called Kadosh - “Because I am Hashem your G-d.” In other words, Hashem is telling us: What makes Me Kadosh? The fact that I am your G-d — i.e., the fact that I am dedicated to you. Hence, in parshas Kedoshim the message of “you should be kedoshim, because I am kedoshim” is “Be dedicated to Me, because I am dedicated to you.” And note, that it doesn’t say “a part of you should be holy.” Rather, the Torah says, you (your whole being) should be holy (i.e., dedicated to me).
...And the reason why the verse said “because I am Kadosh - Hashem, your G-d” is to tell you that if we will fulfill “you should be kedoshim”, we will merit to be close to Him. [Ramban’s commentary on the 2nd verse of parshas Kedoshim]
