Emor 2020

1Emor continues the theme of Holiness, “Kedusha”, begun in last week’s Parsha “Kedoshim”. The word “Kodesh”, holiness, appears 47 times in Emor. All 64 commandments in Emor have a direct or indirect influence on obtaining and maintaining holiness. For example: The positive commandment of sanctifying Hashem’s name “Kiddush Hashem” and the prohibition against defaming Hashem’s Name “Chillul Hashem” are smack in the middle of Emor. Included in these two commandments is the requirement that one not violate any of the “Big Three” commandments, even under duress. This means that one must bring holiness to Hashem’s Name by not worshipping idols, to refuse to commit sins of the flesh (adultery etc., “Arayot”), or murder even if one is being forced!

2Holiness in the context of our Parsha has three applications. There is holiness applicable to time “Kedushat Hazman”. There is holiness associated with place “Kedushat Hamakom” and holiness directly associated with humans “Kedushat Haadam”. Each segment of the Jewish population, that of Kohen, Levi, and Yisrael, is tasked with enforcing and enhancing one of these three applications in the context of the Big Three commandments. The Kohen is focused on eradicating idol worship by performing service in the holy temple “Avodat Hamikdash”. The Levite expresses his Kedushah in two ways first by being a support staff for the Kohen, he sings and opens gates, and by eradicating murder, (intentional or accidental) with the “Arei Miklat”, cities of refuge. The holiness of the common Yisrael is in eradication of Arayot. Even Bilam recognized this when observing the modesty associated with the placement of the tents in the desert. “How good are your tents oh children of Jacob”. The tents were placed in such a way as to avoid temptation for improper interactions. It is noteworthy how Pinchas, because of his revulsion over Arayot, actually was able to climb the holiness scale to become a serving Kohen. This week’s Parsha has a special emphasis on the holiness attributed to the Kohen and the Kohen Gadol. The Torah instructs who the Kohen and the Kohen Gadol may marry and over whom may they mourn. The torah also introduces the idea of a personal blemish “Baal Mume” Both the Kohen who sacrifices the animal and the animal itself are required to be “Whole” with no physical blemish. The extra requirements are part of the Ramban’s theory of prohibiting that which would otherwise be permitted. In following the Ramban’s theory of holiness each requirement and limitation represents further holiness “Kedushah”. In Emor time base holiness is introduced with the section of the holidays “Moadot”. Rules of holiness associated with place are evident in the treatment of requirements associated with sanctifying the holy places. Examples of the three ways to achieve holiness abound in the Parsha upon careful study.

3Finally the Parsha relates the incident of the “Mekallel”, “the man who cursed”, and his subsequent stoning. It is truly strange that Emor which contains the joyous holidays should end with a stoning. The Rabbis tell the story of the “man who cursed”. He was a man whose mother was from Dan and father was an Egyptian. He attempted to place his tent alongside another from the tribe of Dan. The two argued over his right and the “man who cursed” was rejected. The outsider cursed G-d. (I would suggest that the curse was an attempt to accomplish what Balak will attempt, that is to curse the nation, pointing out their lack of hospitality and the rejection of his rights.) His subsequent stoning was certainly not a joyous moment and a represented the darker side of Jewish life that being our rejection of the outsider and it’s unfortunate consequences. Like the book of Vayikra which itself ends on a down note with the ominous words of the “Rebuke”, “The Tochacho”, we are getting a taste of it early. The lesson is clear, you have an opportunity to achieve holiness and joy thereby, but don’t assume everyone will be included in the good news and you need to bring people in so as to avoid negative results.

4Dedicated to the memory of Joel Shuman A’H