The portion of Emor continues many of the same themes found thus far in the book of Leviticus. It expands upon the laws of the priest which set him apart from the rest of the community, as well as those that apply only to the High Priest. It adds details regarding animals which may be brought for the service of God. It enumerates the holidays additional, non-sacrificial Temple rites. Finally, it ends with one of the few narrative passages of the book, telling the story of the blasphemer.
The Torah now tells us who may or may not eat of the holy food which is consecrated for the priests. We are told that a layman may not partake, even if he lives with or works for a priest. If he is a slave owned by a priest, however, he is permitted to eat.…
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While the entire nation of Israel is commanded to “be holy” (Leviticus 19:2), the Torah now delves into the special measures the priests must take to remain so. The first set of instructions forbids a priest from becoming ritually impure by making contact with the dead, with the exception of the seven closest family members.…
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This passage delineates the holidays God has designated for the Children of Israel. Beginning with the Sabbath, it lists the unique commands of each holiday and an overview of its sacrificial service. Passover, or Pesach, is next, with its unleavened bread, followed by the command to bring an Omer offering from the first of the…
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