One would assume that after such a singular event in history, when Hashem revealed Himself to Am Yisrael for the purpose of giving the Torah, that this mountain would remain eternally holy. Yet, we see that immediately when the Shechinah “left,” the mountain reverted to its natural state; anyone, even the animals, were permitted to walk on it. Shouldn’t some of this distinctive holiness have permeated this mountain, transforming it into a makom kadosh, holy place? Horav Moshe Shternbuch, Shlita, explains that being the designated site for Matan Torah does not give Har Sinai license for eternal kedushah, holiness. It is only through kiyum ha’mitzvos, mitzvah performance, that eternal sanctity is achieved. This is the reason the makom Ha’Mikdash, site of the Bais Ha’Mikdash, remains sacrosanct to this very day. It was a place for active mitzvah observance, where thousands participated.
This idea can be applied to contemporary realities. A shul which houses a sefer Torah and seforim in its library definitely demands kedushah status. But, if it is devoid of any positive Torah activity, this holiness is of a diminutive nature. This kedushah is enhanced when the shul becomes a “living” tribute to the Torah it houses.
