Parsha: Emor

Day#1: Leviticus 21:1-15

Emor, when translated from Hebrew to English, means “to say” or “to speak.”  However, this is not the simple notion of talking without reason. The deeper connotation of Emor is that HaKadosh Baruch Hu is holding a deep, intimate conversation with His Kedoshim. Unlike generals in an army spitting out orders, Hashem is lovingly speaking to His bride. This conversation is of the most Holy and intimate topics—Priestly service and Holy Days.

Beyond mere duties that we must or must not partake in, HaKadosh Baruch Hu is portraying details about our divine marital vows. Like lines in a ketubah, each command is a promise—a vow, that if kept will lead to the most loving and intimate relationship with the Creator of the Universe. Such a relationship brings blessing and shalom. It breaks the cycles of abuse, darkness, and terror that is held dear to many of…

Parsha: Emor

Day#2 (Part 1): Leviticus 21:16-22:16

(Study Notes)

(Leviticus 21:16-17)

After discussing the various ways in which the Priests are not to defile themselves, HaKadosh Baruch Hu communicates the that any Priest with a defect cannot perform the animal sacrifices. Meaning, they are prohibited from offering the food of Hashem.

(Leviticus 21:18-20)

Day#2 (Part 2): Leviticus 22:1-16

(Study Notes)

(Leviticus 22:1-3)

We can understand this reasoning by connecting this discussion with the next command: Aaron and his sons (meaning the High Priest and the priests in every generation) must be “scrupulous” about the sacred donations, lest the name of HaKadosh Baruch Hu be profaned. These donations include the animal sacrifices, the tithes, and the rituals to be performed with each.

Scrupulous (/ˈskruːpjələs/) describes someone or something extremely meticulous, precise, and attentive to details, or strictly honest and principled. It implies a high regard for ethics or accuracy, often used for careful work or moral integrity. (Merriam-Webster; Vocabulary.com; Collin’s Dictionary).

This means that the priests are to take great care and go to great painstaking lengths to ensure every detail is fulfilled precisely. This is difficult enough for a fully able-bodied priest, let alone a man with God-given limitations. If a priest becomes…

Parsha: Emor

Day#3: Leviticus 22:17-33 (Study Notes)

After giving commandments to the priests, HaKadosh Baruch Hu moves back to conversing with the general public, though the commandments are relayed through Moshe Rabbeinu. We will see here that there is a clear message that there is one law for the native-born Israelite and the ger who convert to Judaism and join the Jewish Israelite flock. This oneness of law illuminates the oneness of HaKadosh Baruch Hu, the oneness of His Torah, and therefore the oneness of His flock.

(Leviticus 22:17-20)

We learn that when an Israelite OR a ger in Israel presents a burnt offering as a votive or free-will offering, we must offer it in a manner that will allow the offering to be accepted and counted in our (the one who brings offerings) favor.

We have previously studied these types of offerings, which are discussed in detail in Leviticus…

Parsha: Emor

Day#4: Leviticus 23:1-22

(Study Notes)

In chapter 23 of Leviticus, HaKadosh Baruch Hu communicates the various aspects of His fixed times—our Jewish Holy Days. After reminding us that He is our God, who brought us out of Mitzrayim, Hashem reiterates the various celebrations that we Jews partake in yearly in honor (mainly) of the very fact that He brought us, His kedoshim, out of Mitzrayim in order to make us His nation and to be our God.

(Leviticus 23:1-2)

Parsha: Emor

Day#5: Leviticus 23:23-33

(Study Notes)

(Leviticus 23:23-25) High Holy Day: Rosh Hashanah

HaKadosh Baruch Hu next communicates to (and through) Moshe Rabbeinu about Rosh Hashanah. This High Holy Day is also called The Feast of Trumpets or Yom Teruah.

Hashem declares that this “fixed day” is to be celebrated every year in the 7^th month on the first Day of the month. In the Jewish Holy Day Calendar, the 7^th month is the month of Tishrei.

Parsha: Emor

Day#6: Leviticus 23:33-44

(Study Notes)

(Leviticus 23:33-36)

Eight days after the Day of Atonement and self-affliction for 24 hours, we celebrate Sukkot. Sukkot is referred to here in Leviticus 23:34 as “the Feast of Booths to the LORD.” AKA “The Feast of Tabernacles.”

HaKadosh Baruch Hu communicates through Moshe Rabbeinu that the set time for this High Holy Day is from the 15^th day of the 7^th month and is to be a 7 day celebration. This means Sukkot begins on 15 Tishrei, which is to be a sacred occasion when no work is performed. Then, for seven days we are to bring “offerings made by fire to the LORD”.

Parsha: Emor

Day#7: Leviticus 24:1-23

(Study Notes)

The connection between Sukkot and HaKadosh Baruch Hu’s own Tabernacle is made in the opening verses to day numbers seven’s Parsha portion.

(Leviticus 24:1-4)

In these verses, HaKadosh Baruch Hu communicates to Moshe Rabbeinu that all children of Israel are to bring to Moshe Rabbeinu (or the Priest) “clear oil of beaten olives for lighting and kindling lamps regularly.”