[Another interpretation (of Lev. 19:2:) SPEAK UNTO THE WHOLE CONGREGATION OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL,] AND SAY UNTO THEM: YOU SHALL BE HOLY, BECAUSE I , THE LORD YOUR GOD, AM HOLY. The Holy One said to them: Be holy just as I am holy in every respect.¹¹., Gen. 1:7; Lev. 7:4; above, Gen. 1:7. See what is written (in Josh. 24:19): FOR HE IS A HOLY GOD (in the plural).¹² What is the meaning of FOR HE IS A HOLY GOD (in the plural)? This verse provides an opening for the heretics (minim), in that he seems like two powers.¹³ (“Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity,” 25; Leiden: Brill, 1977), p. 121. The heretics asked R. Simlay: What is the meaning of FOR HE IS HOLY GOD?¹⁴ (Buber), Gen. 1:7; and the parallels listed there. Do you not say that he is one power? See, here are at least two powers. He said to them: You idiots! [See what is written: FOR HE IS A HOLY GOD (in the plural). You would say: They are at least two powers, [for why are GOD and HOLY plural?] R. Berekhyah said in the name of R. Abba: What is the meaning of HE IS A HOLY GOD (with HOLY in the plural)? That he is holy in all categories of holiness. How? R. Aha bar Hanina said: His speech is in holiness, as stated (in Ps. 60:8 [6]): GOD SPOKE IN HIS HOLINESS (i.e., in the Holy Place, the Temple). His way is in holiness, as stated (in Ps. 77:14 [13]): YOUR WAY, O GOD, IS IN HOLINESS (i.e., in the Holy Place). He is seen in holiness, as stated (in Ps. 63:3 [2]): SO I HAVE BEHELD YOU IN HOLINESS, (i.e., in the Holy Place). His praise¹⁵ (“beautifully”). is in holiness, as stated (in Exod. 15:11): WHO IS LIKE YOU, GLORIOUS IN HOLINESS? The uncovering of his arm is in holiness, as stated (in Is. 52:10): THE LORD HAS UNCOVERED HIS ARM OF HOLINESS . Ergo (in Josh. 24:19) HE IS A HOLY GOD (with HOLY in the plural), because he is holy in all categories of holiness.

footnotes: ¹¹ Tanh ¹² The words, HOLY and GOD, are both plural in the Hebrew. ¹³ Alan F. Segal, Two Powers in Heaven: Early Rabbinic Reports about Christianity and Gnosticism ¹⁴ See above, Tanh. ¹⁵ Gk.: kalos