Chosen for What?

Parashat Emor (Say) Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:1-24:3 Haftarah: Ezekiel 44:15-31 The Jewish people are often called God’s “chosen people”. This begs the question, “For what have we been chosen?” The answer: To reveal the God of … Read More

Caring for Body & Soul

Parashat Emor (Say) Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:1-24:3 Haftarah: Ezekiel 44:15-31 In this week’s Parashah, we see that God called the Levitical priests to a very specific standard of living. We find similar instructions in the Haftarah … Read More

An Earthly Cost; a Heavenly Reward

Parashat Emor (Say) Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:1–24:3 Haftarah: Ezekiel 44:15–31 As I reflect upon this week’s reading and the higher call by which the Priests had to live, I have been thinking about the cost of … Read More

A Higher Calling

Parashat Emor (Say) Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:1–24:3 Haftarah: Ezekiel 44:15–31 In our Parasha, we read “Then the LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them…” (Leviticus 21:1a). It then … Read More

Holy Fuel

Parashat Emor (Say) VaYikra (Leviticus) 21:1–24:23 Oil was the primary “fuel” for lamps in biblical times. The oil for lamps is mentioned many times throughout the Word of God, and for good reason; it’s not … Read More

Cleanse the Unclean

Parashat Emor (Say) Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:1–24:3 The Tanakh (Hebrew Scriptures) have a great deal to say about cleanliness. Nothing unclean could come before God, because He is holy. As I was reading this week’s Parasha … Read More

Parashat Emor (Say)

VaYiqra (Leviticus) 21:1–24:3 As I was reading this week’s Parasha (Scripture portion), two specific instances caught my attention because they connect to the amazing ministry of our Messiah while on earth: Then the LORD spoke … Read More

Parashat Emor (Say)

Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:1-24:3 In this week’s reading, we read some important verses about the Lord’s appointed times: “And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the sons (children) of Israel, and you tell them … Read More

Parashat Emor (Say) Leviticus 21:1-24:23

בס״ד Parashat Emor (Say) Leviticus 21:1-24:23 Haftarah: Ezekiel 44:15-31 In this week’s Torah reading it is stated, “And you shall not profane My Holy Name, and I shall be sanctified in the midst of the … Read More

Parashat Emor (Say) Leviticus 21:1-24:23

בס”ד Parashat Emor (Say) Leviticus 21:1-24:23 Haftarah: Ezekiel 44:15-31 In this week’s Torah portion, there is a brief section concerning the High Priest. One reads that the “oil of HaShem’s anointing is upon him” (See … Read More