“Speak to the Children of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy for I, Hashem your G-d, am holy” (Vayikra 19:2). Rashi comments on this verse that being holy means to separate your self from sexual immorality. But that is just the starting point of attaining a state of being holy.

In the non-Jewish world, to sanctify one's self, or to be holy, means to cut yourself off from the animal instinct of the human being. Procreation and raising a family are prohibited for priests in the Catholic faith, through celibacy. Other Christian sects afflict themselves by fasting and self flagellation in order to attain a state of sanctity and holiness. However in Judaism, to sanctify one's self and one's life requires us to take part in every aspect of life. The act of marital relations, business, relaxation, eating, drinking etc. can all be infused and elevated to a state of sanctity.

This requires that we use the tools given to each of us by G-d and follow the instructions found in His Torah. It compels us to give consciously and purposefully every facet of life it's proper due.

To sum up, to be holy means to be a human being, a creature created in the image of G-d, for the purpose of elevating every aspect of human existence with the imprint of the Divine image. Thus, there are mitzvos which deal with the physical body, such as Tefillin, immersion in a Mikvah, and Brit Mila.

There are other mitzvos that deal with our usage of the plants and animals found in our environment. These include the mitzvos of Kashrut, the Four Species of plants used on the Festival of Succot, and the agricultural mitzvos such as Shmitah. Similarly, there are mitzvos which deal with business, and how much Tzadaka to give and under what conditions, and so on.

Therefor, the sanctification of one's self and one's life requires you not to run away from life, but to master and control it. The goal and purpose of the Torah is to elevate and sanctify even the most mundane and secular aspects of life.

That is true holiness!