Post by alon on May 4, 2019 20:57:49 GMT -8
From Mark:
This week’s readings: Par’shah 31
Date of reading: May 4, 2019/29 Nisan, 5779
Name of Par’shah: Emor (Speak)
Par’shah: Vayikra 21:1-24:23
Haftarah: Yechezk’el 44:15-31
Brit Chadashah: Mattityahu 5:38-42; Galatians 3:26-29
D’rash: Vayikra chapter 21 lists some of the requirements for the cohen hagadol to follow in order to fulfill his unique position of drawing near to G-d, indeed, closer than anyone else. Note that the physical requirements (absent disqualifying defects) would certainly violate the political correctness of today. It doesn’t matter---G-d is holy and rules supreme over all and, therefore deserves the best of everything offered to Him. This is reflected in the quality of materials and workmanship in the Mishkan/Temple, the sacrificial animals with no defects, skilled and competent L’vi’im who performs their functions well, the most highly skilled musicians, singers and dancers and, of course, a pure devoted heart that gives Him His due reverence.
It is obviously clear that most believers will not be involved with any direct functions of the Temple that will be built in the future and we should not feel inferior over this. G-d has simply chosen certain people, the L’vi’im, and gifted them with skills and abilities to serve Him in this capacity extremely well. That doesn’t mean He won’t show favor and blessing to us “ordinary” people, even if some have defects, who fear and reverence Him and love and obey His .
Yesha’yahu 56:3-7---a foreigner joining Adonai should not say, “Adonai will separate me from His people”; likewise the eunuch should not say, “I am only a dried-up tree.”
For here is what Adonai says: “As for the eunuchs who keep My Shabbats, who choose what pleases Me and hold fast to My covenant: in My house, within My walls, I will give them power and a name greater than sons and daughters; I will give him an everlasting name that will not be cut off.”
“And the foreigners who join themselves to Adonai to serve Him, to love the Name of Adonai, and to be his workers, all who keep Shabbat and do not profane it, and hold fast to My covenant, I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer; their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”
There is a tendency to view others who are gifted by Adonai as being very close to Him but this is not necessarily the case. If we serve G-d to the best of our abilities with what He has given or gifted to us, whether much or little, we will have His favor. The parable of the talents in Mattityahu 25:14-30 or the manim (minahs) in Luke 19:11-26 illustrates this. I once read of a saying that aptly applies here: “If you can’t do extraordinary things ordinarily well, then do ordinary things extraordinarily well.”
speaks often about being careful and diligent to obey the mitzvot, not for the reason “or else” (although that will often apply) but for the dominant reason that one attains life through them (Vayikra 18:5), not in a legalistic sense but in conjunction with a personal relationship with the living G-d. Then our faith can be one of life and meaning:
Tehillim 119:1-2---How happy are those whose way of life is blameless, who live by the of Adonai! How happy are those who observe His instruction, who seek Him wholeheartedly!
Tehillim 4:8(7)-9(8)---You have filled my heart with more joy than all their grain and new wine. I will lie down and sleep in peace; for, Adonai, you alone make me live securely.
References: Rabbi S.C., Scriptures taken from the Complete Jewish Bible, copyright 1998 by David H. Stern
MRD
This week’s readings: Par’shah 31
Date of reading: May 4, 2019/29 Nisan, 5779
Name of Par’shah: Emor (Speak)
Par’shah: Vayikra 21:1-24:23
Haftarah: Yechezk’el 44:15-31
Brit Chadashah: Mattityahu 5:38-42; Galatians 3:26-29
D’rash: Vayikra chapter 21 lists some of the requirements for the cohen hagadol to follow in order to fulfill his unique position of drawing near to G-d, indeed, closer than anyone else. Note that the physical requirements (absent disqualifying defects) would certainly violate the political correctness of today. It doesn’t matter---G-d is holy and rules supreme over all and, therefore deserves the best of everything offered to Him. This is reflected in the quality of materials and workmanship in the Mishkan/Temple, the sacrificial animals with no defects, skilled and competent L’vi’im who performs their functions well, the most highly skilled musicians, singers and dancers and, of course, a pure devoted heart that gives Him His due reverence.
It is obviously clear that most believers will not be involved with any direct functions of the Temple that will be built in the future and we should not feel inferior over this. G-d has simply chosen certain people, the L’vi’im, and gifted them with skills and abilities to serve Him in this capacity extremely well. That doesn’t mean He won’t show favor and blessing to us “ordinary” people, even if some have defects, who fear and reverence Him and love and obey His .
Yesha’yahu 56:3-7---a foreigner joining Adonai should not say, “Adonai will separate me from His people”; likewise the eunuch should not say, “I am only a dried-up tree.”
For here is what Adonai says: “As for the eunuchs who keep My Shabbats, who choose what pleases Me and hold fast to My covenant: in My house, within My walls, I will give them power and a name greater than sons and daughters; I will give him an everlasting name that will not be cut off.”
“And the foreigners who join themselves to Adonai to serve Him, to love the Name of Adonai, and to be his workers, all who keep Shabbat and do not profane it, and hold fast to My covenant, I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer; their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”
There is a tendency to view others who are gifted by Adonai as being very close to Him but this is not necessarily the case. If we serve G-d to the best of our abilities with what He has given or gifted to us, whether much or little, we will have His favor. The parable of the talents in Mattityahu 25:14-30 or the manim (minahs) in Luke 19:11-26 illustrates this. I once read of a saying that aptly applies here: “If you can’t do extraordinary things ordinarily well, then do ordinary things extraordinarily well.”
speaks often about being careful and diligent to obey the mitzvot, not for the reason “or else” (although that will often apply) but for the dominant reason that one attains life through them (Vayikra 18:5), not in a legalistic sense but in conjunction with a personal relationship with the living G-d. Then our faith can be one of life and meaning:
Tehillim 119:1-2---How happy are those whose way of life is blameless, who live by the of Adonai! How happy are those who observe His instruction, who seek Him wholeheartedly!
Tehillim 4:8(7)-9(8)---You have filled my heart with more joy than all their grain and new wine. I will lie down and sleep in peace; for, Adonai, you alone make me live securely.
References: Rabbi S.C., Scriptures taken from the Complete Jewish Bible, copyright 1998 by David H. Stern
MRD