28 Elul 5770 |
September 7 2010 |
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Emor 5766
If you’re a kohen, a descendant from the Priestly class, then this week’s Torah portion, Emor, is especially for you.
“Emor El Hakohanim - Say to the kohanim” is how the parsha commences, setting the tone for an action and instruction packed parsha on how kohanim
are to live their lives, most of which has pertinent application to today.
The kohanim, as you may know, are truly royalty within royalty, and as such, were required to keep themselves at higher standards of purity and perfection.Foremost regarding the requirement of ensuring this uncompromising purity is complete disassociation with the dead. A kohen must be far away from the dead, and it is even forbidden to be in the same building as the dead, no matter how large the building may be. Even today, a kohen is forbidden to attend any funerals except for that of his seven closet-of-kin.
kohanim and the Dead - Modern Applications:
The prohibition on kohanim coming into contact with the dead has found itself subject to some interesting applications within 21st century architectural and halachic cooperation. For example, as mentioned, not only may kohanim not place themselves anywhere near the dead (12ft distance is the absolute minimum), but they may not even be in the same building as the dead (i.e. hospitals).
No doubt that it is excessively painful for kohanim when a dear friend passes away, and they find themselves precluded from participating or even attending the funeral.
More and more Jewish funeral homes are now constructing their funeral halls in a way which allows kohanim to participate in the funeral. This is accomplished by constructing a gallery within the funeral hall that is actually deemed a separated building from the perspective of halacha! This is true even if the ‘walls’ of this independent ‘building’ are constructed out of glass! These “kohen galleries” are complete with their own separate entrance from the outside. The result of techniques such as these have kohanim ‘attending’ funerals, and even standing closer to the body than most other guests at the funeral. What’s more, is that through microphone hook-up, a kohen can even delivery a eulogy or recite prayers. This format has been in use in Montreal for quite some time with the endorsement of all halachic authorities.
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In addition to further directives on the kohen’s code of conduct, the Parsha also includes a review of the yearly holiday cycle, some details on sacrifices, as well some specifications to the service in the Mishkan, the portable synagogue of the desert.
Dvar Torah
The Torah says: "Hashem said to Moshe: Say to the kohanim, the sons of Aharon, and you shall say to them: to a dead person [the kohen] should not become impure among his people." (Leviticus 21:1). Why is this verse worded repetitively? If the verse is telling me to “say to the kohanim” then what do I need the additional "you shall say to them" for?
“Emor El Hakohanim - Say to the kohanim” is how the parsha commences, setting the tone for an action and instruction packed parsha on how kohanim
are to live their lives, most of which has pertinent application to today.
The kohanim, as you may know, are truly royalty within royalty, and as such, were required to keep themselves at higher standards of purity and perfection.Foremost regarding the requirement of ensuring this uncompromising purity is complete disassociation with the dead. A kohen must be far away from the dead, and it is even forbidden to be in the same building as the dead, no matter how large the building may be. Even today, a kohen is forbidden to attend any funerals except for that of his seven closet-of-kin.
kohanim and the Dead - Modern Applications:
The prohibition on kohanim coming into contact with the dead has found itself subject to some interesting applications within 21st century architectural and halachic cooperation. For example, as mentioned, not only may kohanim not place themselves anywhere near the dead (12ft distance is the absolute minimum), but they may not even be in the same building as the dead (i.e. hospitals).
No doubt that it is excessively painful for kohanim when a dear friend passes away, and they find themselves precluded from participating or even attending the funeral.
More and more Jewish funeral homes are now constructing their funeral halls in a way which allows kohanim to participate in the funeral. This is accomplished by constructing a gallery within the funeral hall that is actually deemed a separated building from the perspective of halacha! This is true even if the ‘walls’ of this independent ‘building’ are constructed out of glass! These “kohen galleries” are complete with their own separate entrance from the outside. The result of techniques such as these have kohanim ‘attending’ funerals, and even standing closer to the body than most other guests at the funeral. What’s more, is that through microphone hook-up, a kohen can even delivery a eulogy or recite prayers. This format has been in use in Montreal for quite some time with the endorsement of all halachic authorities.
*******
In addition to further directives on the kohen’s code of conduct, the Parsha also includes a review of the yearly holiday cycle, some details on sacrifices, as well some specifications to the service in the Mishkan, the portable synagogue of the desert.
Dvar Torah
The Torah says: "Hashem said to Moshe: Say to the kohanim, the sons of Aharon, and you shall say to them: to a dead person [the kohen] should not become impure among his people." (Leviticus 21:1). Why is this verse worded repetitively? If the verse is telling me to “say to the kohanim” then what do I need the additional "you shall say to them" for?
One of the many answers attributed to this apparent redundancy is the two-part plan to successful transmission of Torah values to the next generation. There is “saying” and there is “saying”. We often “say”/teach things to our children because it is the right thing to do, often an obligation. We will all teach our kids this unacceptability of theft, but a moment later, possibly lift a peanut form the pile in the supermarket. Education is important, but leading by example is supreme. And it is the only key to Jewish continuity.
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