WEEKLY TORAH
WEEKLY TORAH
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PARSHAT EMOR
This Thursday evening, June 30th and Friday is Pesach Sheni. Pesach Sheni means "Second Passover." If someone unavoidably missed the Pesach Sacrifice, they were given a second chance to participate in the Pesach offering in the proper time exactly one month later. It is customary eat matzah. No matter how desperate the situation appears Hashem gives us a second chance.
B'yom HaShabbat B'yom HaShabbat Yaarchenu Lifnai Hashem Tamid..." (Vayikra 24:8). Each Shabbat he set it (the Showbread) continually before Hashem. This verse teaches the origin of the 2 loaves of bread we use each Shabbat. It also reminds us that we renew our continuous covenant with Hashem by keeping the Shabbat Holy, which is a symbol of that covenant. Indeed, when we remember and observe each Shabbat and keep it Holy, we testify that Hashem created the world in six days, ceased his creation on the seventh, and selected our people for special service. So what's so special?
A prominent attorney once concluded his defense of a religious man by stating that it appears that Jews are held to a higher standard than the rest of the world.
Indeed, Vayikra 22:32 would agree with this assessment: "V'lo T'chalilu Et Shem Kodshi V'nikdashty B'toch B'nai Yisroel Ani Hashem M'kadishchem." We are taught not to desecrate the Name of Hashem, and to sanctify His Name among His People for it is Hashem who has made us Holy. Talk about a high standard!
Imagine what we are commanded to do: strive constantly to avoid giving people a negative impression about Judaism, while behaving in a manner that always brings honor to Hashem. In doing so, we begin to realize that, like it or not, each of us holds the honor of our entire People in our hands, for the world judges us all by the actions of individual Jews.
This verse also teaches that Kiddush Hashem, the obligation to sanctify the name of Hashem applies especially "B'toch B'nai Yisroel" - To our relationships with fellow Jews. Of course, it's important to show Non-Jews how to respect the Torah. It's even more important to show Jews how to respect the Torah.
At its highest level, Kiddush Hashem means the willingness of a Jew to give his life to avoid: committing murder; the sins of immorality or idolatry. However, we have many opportunities to sanctify the name of Hashem during our lifetime, for example: Our business dealings; our personal relationships; the way we greet strangers; and many other situations in life provide unexpected ways to leave people with the most positive vision of Judaism.
Rabbi Shimon Ben Shetach once bought a camel from an Arab. Later, upon examining the animal, he found a precious stone in its collar. Although he could have kept the stone by using some legal justification, he instead returned it at once. This prompted the Arab to exclaim: "Blessed be the G-d of Shimon Ben Shetach! Blessed be the G-d of Israel!" Kiddush Hashem is, indeed, the higher standard to which the Jew is held.
Kol Tov! Our best to you...it's all good. Shabbat Shalom, CM
CHADISH FORUM - PLEASE TELL US
Pirkei Avot 5:9 teaches that wild beasts visit the world because of Chilul Hashem - desecration of the Name of Hashem. Do you think this Mishnah refers only to the animal variety?
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