Parshat Emor; Leviticus 21:124:23 by Rabbi Denise L. Eger
Parshat Emor is made up of commands both to the priesthood and to the people Israel in general. It continues the themes of holiness and purity that were stressed in last weeks parasha. However, rather than the ethical ideals of justice and empowerment of the weak and vulnerable in society, these mitzvot directly deal with priestly observances of purity and sanctity and requirements of Israelite society to observe the holiday cycle as described in the portion.
Several time in the parasha we come back to the notion of the sanctification of Gods Holy Name. The Torah admonishes both priest and the general member of the Israelites to take care lest they profane Gods sacred name or commit blasphemy. Upholding the sense of holiness and one might even say mystery of the Divine is paramount in the detailed instructions given. It is as if the portion points us toward the goal of the Jewish people and that is to seek out the holy, the sacred and to protect at all costs the sacred nature of the society. This applies to both priest and layperson.
At the beginning of the parsha, priests are warned about unnecessary contact with the dead because of the spiritual impurity it brings, and about how the priesthood must keep meticulous records of the sacred donations lest the Israelites lose faith and thus profane Gods name. A lack of faith in the leadership, in this case the priesthood, could and would lead to questions arising from the general populace. We see this time and again in our own day, when religious leaders act with impunity or hypocrisy. The community is affected by a leaders behaviors. Thus this portion reinforces that there are certain boundaries to be maintained by the priests and the priesthood.
By keeping far away from the business of death, the priesthood can keep an aura of a connection with life eternal as Gods chosen emissaries. Although allowed to mourn for their immediate families, the priests must distance themselves from death and its trappings as if the priests are elevated above the average concerns of most people.
For the people this task of uplifting Gods holy name and the call to holiness is no less important. The outlining of the holiday cycle in this Torah portion is one way the Jew sanctifies Gods holy Name. Through regular observance of Shabbat and the Festivals, the Israelites help to make distinctions in the world of sacred time and profane time. Their offerings to God further sanctify Gods name and place in the world and yes, in their lives.
For our own day and time we must reflect on the way in which we too uplift Gods Name. Do we lead lives that are filled with sanctifying Gods name or are we tainted by the profane society that we live in? Do we give honor to the Divine Creator of the Universe or have we elevated human beings and ourselves to the place of Divinity?
How do we heed the call to lead lives of holiness?
Posted by Lee at May 10, 2005 11:19 AM
