concerns of holiness and purity are the responsibility of all Israel, men and women, a trait that has been called “the democratization of holiness.” Unlike in most other ancient cultures, the whole community and even the land are included in this quest and responsibility. Like the sanctuary, the bodies of Israel must be kept pure, although at a lower degree of purity. The human being is susceptible, not only to moral infractions that pollute the sanctuary, but also to various ritual impurities,