By: Julie Lieber
Chief Jewish Life & Engagement Officer
We are introduced to an unusual persona in this week’s Torah portion, Parshat Naso: The figure of the “Nazir”. This is an individual who takes on voluntary restrictions — abstaining from wine, avoiding impurity, and letting their hair grow — in order to dedicate themselves more completely to God. We are familiar with figures in the Bible like Samson and Samuel, who lived as Nazirites, dedicating their lives to the service of God, through a bargain made with God by their initially barren mothers in exchange for bearing a child. The case of the Nazir uncovers a tension at the heart of Jewish life: Are we meant to withdraw from the pleasures of the world in pursuit of holiness, or are we meant to engage with all there is to enjoy in life and as a path to holiness?
At first glance, the answer seems clear. The Torah repeatedly calls the Nazir “holy.” Yet at the end of the Nazirite period, the Nazir must bring a sin offering. How can the same person be considered both holy and sinful?
Our tradition offers multiple perspectives. Some commentators praise the Nazir as someone striving for spiritual elevation and freedom from worldly desires. Others suggest that denying oneself the God-given joys of life renders one a sinner.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks beautifully reframes this tension. He explains that there are two different models of holiness: the saint and the sage. The saint seeks personal perfection, often through separation and self-denial. The sage, however, remains deeply engaged in the responsibilities of family, community, and society. While the Nazir may achieve a form of individual holiness, Judaism ultimately asks us not to escape the world, but to sanctify it.
This message feels especially resonant today. Many of us long for moments of retreat — opportunities to disconnect from noise, distraction, and endless demands. There is real value in stepping back to reflect, pray, and reconnect with our deepest selves. Judaism honors that impulse. But it also reminds us that holiness is not found only in isolation – it is found in community, when we show up for one another, care for family, bring compassion into our daily interactions with others and build community together.
As Shabbat invites us to pause this week, may we find renewed balance between reflection and engagement, between personal spirituality and communal responsibility, and may we continue the work of bringing holiness into our communities and the world.
Please email Julie Lieber at jlieber@jewishcolorado.org with questions or comments.