holiness

Everyday

1. The quality of being holy, very good and connected with God or a religion. tree →
2. «His Holiness» — a polite title for some religious leaders, such as the Pope or the Dalai Lama. tree →

In the lessons

Used in religious education lessons and stories about saints, temples and holy places. As a title it is used in the news: «His Holiness the Pope visited the city.» It tells the reader that something or someone is treated with deep religious respect.

Examples

• The temple was a place of great holiness. tree →
• Saints are remembered for their holiness. tree →
• His Holiness the Pope waved to the crowd. tree →
• The Dalai Lama is called His Holiness. tree →
• Many people feel the holiness of the old church. tree →
• The monks lived lives of quiet holiness. tree →
• The pupils set off at once, wondering at the strangeness of their errand, and still more at the holiness of the jogi to whom such secrets were revealed. tree →

Note

Uncountable (no plural) except in the title. Titles take capital letters: His Holiness, Your Holiness. From «holy» + «-ness»; holy changes y to i. Do not confuse with «wholeness» (being whole) or «holeyness» (full of holes — a joke word).

In Jewish tradition

Being set apart for God and different from the ordinary.

Interpretation. Holiness (kedushah) means separation for God's service. In Sefer Yetzirah, the "Palace of Holiness" is the center that holds up all things.

Examples

• Who is like unto Thee, O LORD, among the mighty? who is like unto Thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? (Torah EXO.15.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• the founder of the concealed and fundamental ideas of holiness and of their stages of preparation. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →
• These Seven Double Letters point out seven localities; Above, Below, East, West, North, South, and the Palace of Holiness in the midst of them sustaining all things. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →
• Thy testimonies are very sure, holiness becometh Thy house, O LORD, for evermore. (Writings PSA.93.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• O God, Thy way is in holiness; who is a great god like unto God? (Writings PSA.77.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• Once have I sworn by My holiness: Surely I will not be false unto David; (Writings PSA.89.36, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Uncountable (no plural) except in the title. Titles take capital letters: His Holiness, Your Holiness. From «holy» + «-ness»; holy changes y to i. Do not confuse with «wholeness» (being whole) or «holeyness» (full of holes — a joke word).