Parshat Emor; Leviticus 21:1-24:23 by Rabbi Denise L. Eger

While last week’s parasha spoke of the need for the people Israel to live lives of holiness, this week’s portion, Emor opens with special instructions to the priests to be especially careful in the execution of their duties. It is clear that the priesthood must safeguard the dignity of the office and the unique relationship that priests, the Kohanim, have with God and with the people. They must be scrupulous in their observance of the laws. The portion teaches that a priest that tries to cross the boundaries of certain limitations –be they physical ones, (like trying to enter the Holy of Holies) or spiritual ones, eating of the offering when in an unclean state that these are not just offenses in general but degrade and defame God’s Name!

Several ideas in this week’s portion relate to cases of defaming God’s name. The violations of the priesthood are one.

But a strange story at the end of the parasha brings this into fuller light.

“There came out among the Israelites one whose mother was Israelite and whose father was Egyptian. And a fight broke out in the camp between that half Israelites and a certain Israelite. The son of the Israelite woman pronounced the Name in blasphemy, and he was brought to Moses –now his mother’s name with Shelomith daughter of Dibri of the tribe of Dan and he was placed in custody until the decision of Adonai should be made clear to them. And God spoke to Moses, saying, “Take the blasphemer outside the camp and let all who were within hearing lay their hands upon his head, and let the whole community stone him.” And to the Israelite people speak thus. Anyone who blasphemes his God shall bear his guilt; if he pronounces the Name Adonai he shall be put to death The who community shall stone him stranger or citizen if he has thus pronounced the Name he shall be put to death. “ (24:10- 16)

This half Israelite in his anger didn’t just attack another—but used God’s holy name to attack! This crosses a boundary and attacks the people Israel. It is interesting to note that his mother name is recorded. Her first name, Shelomit comes, according to the rabbis, from Shalom—that she would say “Shalom” or hello easily to strangers. Evidenced by the fact that she married an Egyptian. She is also daughter of Dibri—from the word for chatterbox -someone who speaks often and easily without much content. This is meant to show the son’s character is also someone who doesn’t mind what comes from his mouth.
He spoke in haste and anger.

Granted the punishment seems harsh, death by stoning. The community must also lay hands upon him, just as the priest lays hands upon the sacrificial offering. Since he has blasphemed God by pronouncing God’s holy name aloud (using God’s name in vain) when he wasn’t the High Priest on Yom Kippur Day, he transgressed many boundaries, including intimate knowledge of God. This intimate knowledge is reserved only for the High Priest.

Perhaps, ironically though, the next verse, following this story should be included in it. For it states, “If a man kills any human being, he shall be put to death.” (24:17) Here we just read about a sanctioned killing—and yet the Torah reminds us that murder is not acceptable. Perhaps this is the way our Torah tries to dissuade any of us from capital punishment of any kind.

Certainly this worked for the rabbis of the Talmud. Even though there are capital crimes, which call for death, such as, the case listed above, the rabbis of the Talmud made it near impossible for any court to carry out the death penalty!

Judaism might have it on the books. But it is truly a suspended law.

I think this story of the blasphemer is written here to tell us more importantly—that we need to be careful in our speech, just as we must be careful in our practice. To live a holy life we must guard our actions and our words and take care to honor God and our community in the process. This brings a measure of holiness to our lives and our world.

Posted by Lee at May 8, 2006 10:40 AM