This pasuk (verse), at the start of the Torah's laws of proscribed relationships also provides us with another perspective to consider on the eve of Pesach, a festival where we attempt to re-experience the Exodus from Egypt as best we can.  It is placed in the book of Vayikra (Leviticus) which, according to the commentary of Ramban (Rabbi Moses ben Nachman, Vayikra 7:38), was taught by G-d in the year after the Revelation at Mount Sinai.  This verse also challenges us to ask some timely questions about our own society.

What are the actions that we should not emulate? The modern Israeli 'Daat Mikra' commentary, in the footsteps of Rashi, notes that despite the Exodus and giving of the Torah, the people had only recently left Egypt.  Their values, outlook on life and societal reference framework were all based on Egypt.  In particular, the Jewish people had seen Egyptian idolatry as a form of religious practice (perhaps accounting for the sin of the golden calf) and had seen high levels of promiscuity in Egypt (perhaps accounting for the placement of this pasuk to introduce details of proscribed relationships). 

At this stage of history, the people are shortly due to go into the Land of Israel/Caanan (until the sin of the spies upset the applecart - see Bemidbar/Numbers chap. 14).  Therefore, they also require warnings against adopting those negative aspects of the Land of Israel/Caanan where they are due to enter.

The final part of the pasuk, ‘not to follow their mores’, contains a source for the injunction often called 'chukat hagoy', which proscribes following practices of the non-Jewish world unless they (i) make sense (eg using umbrellas in the rain)  or (ii) are for honour of Judaism (eg building a 'cathedral' style shul).  See TB Avoda Zara 11a, Shabbat 67a-b or Tosefta Shabbat 8:4 for examples of this.

This verse, particularly at the onset of Pesach, also challenges us to think about our frame of reference in our society today. Whilst we should incorporate the best values of the society around us, we should also clearly understand what is antithetical to our way of life as Jews and make sure that our frame of reference is firmly rooted in our tradition.