Steps to Holiness

I'm always intrigued when the Torah outlines very specific steps one must take to achieve some specific goal or end.  In this case, the steps to become holy.  Perhaps it speaks to how my, or the human, brain works - follow these precise formula and holiness shall be achieved.

In Pekudei, Shemot 40:12, there is a perfect example of how Moshe is supposed to "kohenize" Aharon:

Bring him (and his sons) near to the entrance of the ohel mo'ed

Immerse them in water

Dress Aharon in the holy garments

Anoint him

Sanctify him

And (he may serve G-d) as a kohen

The steps are intriguing because they are all so definite and clear - all except one.  Specifically, the average reader will understand what is meant to bring someone close to a physical location, immerse that individual in water and dress them in holy garments, anoint that individual (we will learn later exactly what is meant by "anoint" although the general definition of the word still holds true) at which point that person is physically fit to serve in their role.  

The vague word in this process is "sanctify."  In earlier posts I believe I translated the Hebrew - kidashta - as "holify."  Another common translation is "separate."  Therefore, it could be said that the second to last stage of the process is to either "sanctify" the kohen-to-be (vague), "holify" the kohen (also vague) or "separate" him (a little more definite but still vague).

An idea I had regarding this process is that there is more - much more - that is necessary to becoming a kohen than mechanical, purely physical steps.  At least one part of the process involves either speaking words of holiness and blessing, or directing intention to elevating this previously lay individual into a lofty, holy realm through the power of intellect and spiritual channeling, or both.  (Likely both.)  For as we learned earlier, the world was created through Divine Speech - why shouldn't it be that some form of divine speech - perhaps an echo of divine speech - also be used to "create" this kohen who may now serve in the mishkan.  

In all that we do, there must always be more than cooks following a recipe or a DIYer following the manual - otherwise, G-d could have simply created robots to carry out G-d's Orders.  It is the sanctification - the raw power of the potential for borrowed human creation - that sets the wheels of our purpose in motion.  To sanctify - holify - separate - each mundane action into something holy - now that is the purpose of life.