Leviticus 21:1–24:23
Parshat Emor
Emor gives the laws of holiness for the kohanim and for the offerings, then sets out the Jewish calendar: Shabbat, Pesach, the counting of the Omer, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot. It continues with the oil for the Menorah and the showbread, and ends with the case of a man who blasphemed G-d's name.
Video classes
Essays
Parsha Emor – Anticipation Much, if not most, of life is spent waiting for something. Judaism wants us to utilize waiting for the right thing. Of all things the thing we should be eagerly anticipating is when the world will become sane and universal peace will reign. This is the belief in and anticipation for Moshiach and the Parsha Emor – Buy a Ticket Life in so many ways is like buying winning a lottery. The odds are totally against winning if you don’t buy a ticket… L Parsha Emor – Celebrating Giving Charity is both objective and subjective. It is objective because its main goal is to help the needy regardless of the donor’s attitude. It is subjective because it changes the donor as well. The degree to which giving affects the donor is commensurate with the degree of joy one invests in giving. Parsha Emor – “Before I Speak, I’d Like to Say a Few Words” We should never be hesitant to repeat our words. The second time we say something may be the first time it was heard and penetrated. Parsha Emor – Counting the Omer A mature way of living is to discern between things that are just a means to an end and those that represent the end. When we realize what the end during the period of preparation, it too assumes the glow of the end. Parsha Emor – Crossing the Bridge We see now, paradoxically, more selfishness and more selflessness. We are crossing the bridge into the Messianic Age that links Galus to Geulah. We therefore witness elements of both. Our challenge is to look forward. Parsha Emor – Every Day a Mitzvah Time is more than just something we pass through, it is a creation of G-d. The objective of Torah is to refine and elevate all of G-d’s creations including time. Parsha Emor – Double Talk People respect those who respect themselves. Much of anti-Jewish sentiment can be traced to the phenomenon of Jews trying to hide their identity. Parsha Emor – High Fiving There can be no greater way of getting something than by giving. It is the difference between acquiring something that is enduring as opposed to that which is transitory. Giving also bestows true ownership on what we possess. Parsha Emor – Jump Higher There is a myth that we have to jump over obstacles. In truth, we have to keep on skipping, jumping and dancing even when the obstacles have long been surmounted. Parsha Emor – How Old Are You? A 70 year old person is really only 18 if we subtract the time we are unproductive. We can remedy this lacuna if we harness all of our activities, even rest and sleep, towards a higher goal, of serving G-d and preparing for Moshiach. Parsha Emor – Lag B’omer-Removing Barriers Lag B’Omer is the Holiday of unity and love. Lag B’Omer is the Holiday that removes the barrier between the revealed and esoteric parts of Torah. When one achieves the latter it facilitates the former. Parsha Emor – Know Your Place According to the Talmud, a wise person is one who knows his place. We have to use our minds to the fullest even as we recognize the limits of our intellect. Parsha Emor – My Father Was a Kohain… Being a biological Kohain is mostly hereditary. Being a Kohain in the spiritual sense is in reach of every Jew. Parsha Emor – No Holds Barred Education Our youth is more receptive today to the message of Judaism, particularly its spiritual and mystical dimension. Our youth’s rebelliousness is an asset and a blessing if channeled into rebelling against the spiritual status-quo. Parsha Emor – Soul Bank and Trust Company Doing good does not always yield good results in the present day and age. All of our Mitzvos are stored in a bank. In the Messianic Age we will be able to cash in and fully enjoy on all the good that we do today. Parsha Emor – The Life Affirming Kohain The inevitability of death is grossly exaggerated. Judaism believes not only in the immortality of the soul, but also in the eventual restoration of the body in the Messianic Age. The Kohain represents embracing life. Parsha Emor – The Significant Insignificant Omer Nothing in life is insignificant. Indeed, some of the most exciting discoveries are in those aspects of life that appear tangential and marginal. Parsha Emor – The Ultimate Synthesis Modern science claims that humans are really advanced animals. Torah maintains that we are G-dly beings cast in an animal body. Our goal is to tame and transform the animal within. Parsha Emor – Transcending Our Nature Judaism focuses on the need to change our negative traits. Chassidic thought goes a step further. We also need to change the nature of our positive character traits.