Drash on Naso 2025

Holiness in a complex world

In her memoir Becoming, Michelle Obama writes in the epilogue: “For me, becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self.”

This perspective beautifully aligns with the Jewish idea that life is not about static identity, but about the sacred process of growth. Each of us is always in the act of becoming; becoming kinder, deeper, more compassionate, more present. Parashat Nasso introduces us to the Nazir, a figure who is on a journey of becoming through spiritual discipline and personal choices.

The Nazir holiness is not conferred by lineage or office, but simply by a deliberate choice. Unlike the priest (Cohen), who is born into the Levi tribe and appointed into a role of sanctity, the Nazir represents the idea that anyone can take a spiritual step forward. “All the days of their Nazirite vow, they are holy to the Eternal” (Numbers 6:8). This holiness is not a fixed. It is not imposed from above – it is grown from within. It is an intentional process when one step back from the noise of daily life to listen, to reflect, and to make space for the sacred.

In today’s society, few people take on Nazirite vows, but many choose intentional paths of restraint or dedication that mirror the Nazir’s pursuit. Some become vegetarian or vegan, not only for health or environmental reasons, but as a sacred expression of compassion or ethical living. Others embrace simplicity, mindfulness, or consumer minimalism. Each of these is a modern gesture toward holiness, an attempt to create boundaries around the self in order to grow spiritually and ethically.

Yet, the Nazir is not without controversy.

In Taanit 11a, Rabbi Eliezer HaKappar questions whether the Nazir is in fact a sinner for denying oneself the pleasures of God’s world. The question is – does choosing restraint diminish our appreciation for life, or does it deepen it?

Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, in Mesillat Yesharim, offers a middle path. He teaches that abstinence is not inherently virtuous, but when pursued with clear intent, it can refine the soul.

Holiness, according to him, is not about avoiding life, it is about approaching it more consciously. It is no coincidence that Birkat Cohanim (Priestly Blessing) also appears in this week’s portion.

“May God’s face shine upon you and grant you peace” offers a counterbalance to the Nazir’s solitude. Where the Nazir retreats, the Cohen engages in blessings. Where the Nazir seeks inward holiness, the Cohen channels outward connection.

These two figures reflect an ancient yet contemporary spiritual path: sanctity through self-discipline and sanctity through relationship.

Judaism does not ask us to permanently separate from the world but to engage it with renewed purpose. Even the Nazir’s vow is time-bound. When complete, they return to community with new clarity.

Parashat Nasso reminds us that holiness begins with intention. Whether by embracing ethical consumerism, dedicating time for study, unplugging from constant connectivity, or blessing others with our presence, we each carry the capacity to elevate the ordinary.