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Emor / אמור
Emor / אמור
The Possuk in Thilim
31:21 “You will
protect them in
sukkah from troubles
of the tongues”. The
Gaon explained that
the four letters of
the word סוכה are
each emitting from
different sources.
The first is from
the letters which
use the teeth to
pronounce them. The
second is from the
group which uses the
lips. The third from
the throat and the
last letter from the
neck. The only group
not represented is
the letters using
the tongue. This
then is what Dovid
HaMelech meant :
“The letters and
mitzva of sukkah
protect from loshon
harah, the evil
tongue.
The parsha of Emor
is basically a
parsha of the
restrictions placed
upon Kohanim to
elevate them to a
higher level.
R’Moshe z’l’ gives a
beautiful overview
of their position of
holiness. Theirs is
a higher calling.
They are the
teachers of the
people, the role
models. This is
obvious from the
brochos granted by
Moshe Rabeinu. It is
for this very reason
that the Torah piles
on them these added
obligations to
assist them in
attaining holiness.
However, he points
out, the expression
which introduces
this concept is one
of אמירה, not דיבור.
As the Gemora
explains that אמירה
is an expression of
soft and smooth, not
difficult and
strict. The Torah
cajoles and
convinces the
Kohanim to accept
their new positions
and all its inherent
problems. With this
R’ Moshe comforted
all people involved
with Jewish
education to accept
their job and duties
with love and joy.
The Lechem HaPonim
was removed on
Shabbos and
distributed among
the Kohanim. As
small a piece they
would receive still
satisfied them. Why
did this take place
on Shabbos? The
Aznaim L’Torah
explains in
practical terms. A
whole week the
Kohanim were treated
to the meat and
breads of all the
various karbonos. On
Shabbos there were
no karbonos except
for the Tamid and
Musaf, of which no
portion was given to
Kohanim. To offset
this, the Torah
grants him the
special brocha of
Lechem HaPonim. R’
Zalman z’l’ points
out, therefore, that
the lesson is quite
obvious. The day of
rest, not only does
not interfere with
ones parnoso, but it
gives an added
brocha!
The Possuk reads
“One who has a
physical blemish
should not come
close to bring the
bread (offering) of
HaShem.” The next
possuk gives the
reason “for any man
who has a physical
blemish should not
come close”. It
seems to just repeat
itself. The answer
could be that the
Torah expects us to
give respect to
HaShem, at least, as
much as we would
give to a flesh and
blood ruler. The
palace guards are
always the most
perfect looking
specimens of
humankind. In case
one would think that
the one with a
blemish is being
disqualified for a
possible lack of
performance, the
Torah follows with
“no such man should
even enter into the
sanctuary to
represent HaShem’s
legions.
Previous Parshos
Tazria
Metzora
Achrei Mos
Kedoshim
Emor
Behar
Bechukosai
Bamidbar
Shavuos
Naso
Behalosicha
Shilach
Korach
Chukas-Balak
Pinchos
Matos-Masei
Devorim
Voeschonon Ekev
Reah
Shoftim
Ki Seitzei
Ki Savo
Nitzovim
- Vayelech Rosh
HaShana Haazinu-Yom
Kippur Sukkos V'zos
HaBrocha
Breishis
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