Illustration Credit: Elad Lifshitz, Dov Abramson Studio

Two of these names appear in one pasuk (Devarim 7:6) in this week’s parashah: עַם קָדוֹשׁ (am kadosh, a holy people) and עַם סְגֻלָּה (am segulah, a treasured people). What do these names mean?

Malbim says they are two very different things.

Precious jewels are loved no matter what—they are a treasure all on their own. Similarly, am segulah describes God’s love for Benei Yisrael, no matter what.

Am kadosh describes who we can and should become, and that depends on our actions—whether or not we act in a holy way. It’s not enough to be a treasured people; we must also do the work to elevate ourselves to become an am kadosh!