Parasha Emor - Speak
Helping in Holiness
Leviticus 21:1 - 24:23
By Don Hettinger, M.Ed.

"They [Kohenim/Priests] shall be holy to their G-d and they shall not desecrate the Name of their G-d; for the fire-offerings of HaShem, the food of their G-d, they offer, so they must remain holy. (Lev. 21:6)

The teaching this week fits nicely into the teaching from last week, Kedoshim, about G-d's people being holy.  In this Parasha of Emor G-d is telling Moses to speak to all the Kohanim about being holy.  The standard for them is more strict than for the rest of the nation of Israel.  Why?  The question arises as to whether the requirements for holiness shouldn't be equal across the board, a "What's sauce for the goose, is sauce for the gander," attitude. But scripture tells us that to whom much is given much is expected. (Ref. Lk. 12:48)

The Kohenim were given much authority and the accountability of such a person is greater.  A person in authority needs to be an exemplary person, someone people can look up to and honor, like Moses, Elijah and Yeshua.  A  person, like an animal that is sacrificed to G-d, needs to be pure and without blemish.  G-d desires for those who serve before Him in His House to be the prime examples of perfection.  Rabbi Hirsch says, "The Kohen is not merely an individual; as a representative of the Sanctuary, he is responsible to the nation, and the nation is obligated to compel him to remain true to his calling." (Artscroll, Stone Edition Chumash, commentary Pg. 674)

For this reason I encourage Gentile people as well as Jewish brothers and sisters to assist in helping our Jewish people to keep the commands of G-d's Torah.  Remember, Yeshua kept them and there were those who helped him stay unblemished.

The story in the book of Luke describes this.  "A Roman army officer there (in Capurnim) had a servant he regarded highly who was sick and about to die.  Hearing about Yeshua, the officer sent some Jewish elders to him with the request that he come and heal his servant.  They came to Yeshua and pleaded sincerely with him, 'He really deserves to have you do this for he loves our people - in fact he built our synagogue for us!'  So Yeshua went with them.  He had not gone far from the house, when the officer sent friends who said to him, 'Sir, don't trouble yourself.  I'm not worthy to have your come under my roof - this is why I didn't presume to approach you myself.  Instead just give the command and my servant will recover.  For I too am a man set under authority.  I have soldiers under me; and I say.and he does it.'  Yeshua was astonished at him.and said to the crowd.'not even in Israel have I found such trust!'" (Lk. 7:2-9)

Here was a Roman army officer of means who respected the Jewish people and helped them knowing that G-d had chosen them for His own.  He also knew that G-d granted special authority to some to which Yeshua's reputation preceded him.  But in his asking for Yeshua's help he understood that a Jew was not to enter a Gentile home for that would make him ritually unclean, blemished.  This, for G-d's only chosen son, could have jeopardized his position of authority, which the army officer protected by telling Yeshua that he should not come into his house for he was not worthy of having him enter it.  How respectful!  Would it not be wonderful if all people looked out for each other in that same way?  People with medical or religious conditions would not have to worry because other people would have the best interest in mind for those with problems.

This also demonstrates Yeshua's willingness to help people in need even if they were Gentiles who loved the Jewish people, but by his own words he came only for the lost sheep of Israel. (Ref. Mt. 15:24)  Yet a Roman helped him stay unblemished as he became the sacrificial lamb of G-d to take away sin. (Ref. Jn. 1:29)  Because of this it is said in Revelation, "Worthy is the lamb, who was slain, ."(Rev. 5:12)  A high priest of Israel was responsible to G-d to be that example of perfection.

I, on the other hand, like Kefa/Peter can enter a non-Jewish home without being blemished as the story of the sheet and Cornelius demonstrates. (Ref. Acts 10) Yet, I am still required to keep the commands of Torah just like the rest of Israel in order to be holy as G-d expects of His people.  Even in this, non-Jewish people can go beyond the call of duty by keeping G-d's commands in the Torah.  But without the help of fellow Jewish people and Gentile people who love G-d's people I may fail.

We can demonstrate this through the 'chair example.'  People in authority are like a person standing on a chair.  If a person on the floor locks hand to hand with the person on the chair, and they begin pulling against one another, the person on the chair is more easily pulled off the chair then it is for the person on the floor to be lifted up to the chair.  But if the person on the chair is stronger and his base secure he can lift the person up from the floor to the chair, especially if the person on the floor pulling against the other person is willing to be lifted up.

It is this concept that works in both the spiritual and physical world.  Those we chose to lead us need to be examples of what is right and not corrupted by the bad influences of others.  They need to have a secure base and be dedicated to helping those in need.  In return the people being served need to help the person in authority to keep doing what is right.  At times that may require running interference for the person in leadership in order to prevent temptation from presenting itself.  A hungry Jewish person should not be presented with a ham and cheese sandwich!

Thought to Ponder:  When and where do we knowingly or unknowingly violate others because of our own ignorance?  Study and dialogue may help us overcome that ignorance.

Please note: The views and/or opinions of the rabbi do not necessarily reflect the views and/or opinions of the entire congregation