This week we celebrated the 68th birthday of the State of Israel with festive tefillah, dance, and a variety of activities that explored some of the wonders of the modern state. By participating in simulated IDF training; dancing to the rhythms of Israeli music; learning a song about the challenges faced by Ethiopian olim; and working cooperatively to build water ducts to channel this precious resource from the Galilee to the Negev, Akiba students recognized the contributions of different segments of the Israeli population to the growth and development of the country. While the day was designed to teach students particulars of Israeli history and culture, the subtext of the day was tolerance and inclusion, two themes illuminated in Parashat Kedoshim. Learning about and appreciating the gifts that others bring to a society help bridge gaps between various groups and foster a sense of Ahavat Yisrael. The mitzvot in this week's parashah provide us with the tools to create those bridges. The general instruction commanded in Kedoshim is to be holy just as Hashem is holy. One might expect the Torah to then expound on esoteric spiritual practices; instead, the Torah promotes concrete ways to develop that holiness: by performing mitzvot to help other people. Through compassion, individuals can learn to recognize the good in others and cultivate their love of their fellow Jews. The halachot of pe'ah and leket (leaving portions of a field and crops for the poor) compel those with means to consider the needs of those less fortunate. Similarly, the laws dealing with just measures and fair legal proceedings reinforce the idea that because everyone has equal rights in front of Hashem, each must be treated equally in civil situations. And finally, the famous teaching Ve'ahavta l'reyacha kamocha, loving your neighbor as oneself, instructs every person to recognize the spark of Hashem that glows in every human being and to use that spark to guide the way he or she interacts with others, as a beacon leading each person to a life of holiness, acceptance, and love.