“The Lord said to Moses: speak “emor,” unto the priests, the sons of Aaron and say unto them…”  So this opening verse introduces all manner of regulations for the biblical priests, and thus gives us the title of our Torah portion. The ‘sedrah’ begins with the teaching that a priest (Kohen) cannot be in the presence of a dead person, unless this person is a parent, sibling, or spouse (as later decided by the Tannaim from the Talmud).

In the ancient world, the priest had to be ritually fit at all times. Hence, the detailed instructions as to what to avoid in his personal life, and with whom he might be permitted to marry.

Even today, those who consider themselves of priestly lineage will not enter a cemetery for the funeral of a loved one. Their beliefis based on the words of the opening verse: “there shall none defile himself for the dead among his people…” Our Torah portion also contains a detailed list of the holidays in the Jewish calendar. It begins with the Sabbath, and then proceeds to the three pilgrim festivals.

Join us for an incisive Torah discussion this Shabbat morning!