Emor 5768

Torah reading: Bechukotai

17 Iyar 5768 / 22 May 2008

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Emor (Leviticus 21-24)
Emor 5768

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GOOD MORNING! Sunday, May 11th is Mother's Day in the United States. Some have cynically called it a "Hallmark Holiday" - a holiday generated by the greeting card, florist and restaurant industries. The idea is that once a year one sends a card, some flowers and takes his or her mother to dinner; if you do this, you are a good child; if you don't do this...

According to the Torah, every day is Mother's Day (and Father's Day)! It is a 24/7 365 days a year responsibility to take care of the needs of your parents and to express your gratitude. The Almighty gave us parents so that we can feel what unconditional love is - so that we can better relate to the Almighty's unconditional love for us.

Sometimes parents fail in giving unconditional love. They think their job is to be a never ending source of reproof and correction for their children. However, if they would focus on why they loved their parents, likely it was not because of unending criticisms they received, but because of the support and love from their parents...

The following poem sums it up well. In tribute to mothers everywhere:

A SAFE PLACE

She tied your laces so you would not trip,
and held your hand so you could not slip.

She gently wiped your runny nose dry,
and held you close when you would cry.

She sewed the button on your shirt,
and kissed your knee to stop the hurt.

She wrapped Life's gifts in ribbons and lace,
and handed you a world that was a safe place.

The years passed quickly, and along the way,
she guided you so you would not stray.

Now she needs you to hold her hand,
when she's too frightened to understand.

She needs you there to lend an ear,
to aches and pains she cannot bear.

And turn her fears inside out,
and smile for her while she may pout.

She's earned the right, as you well know,
to call you back after she's let you go.

So hug her now and hold her dear,
as she did for you in yesteryear.

- Ruth Sochaczewski
with permission from Horizons Magazine

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Torah Portion of the Week
Emor

This week's portion sets forth the standards of purity and perfection for a Cohen; specifies the physical requirements of sacrifices and what is to be done with blemished offerings; proclaims as holidays the Shabbat, Pesach, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot.

It reminds the Jewish people to provide pure olive oil for the Menorah and designates the details of the Showbread (two stacks of 6 loaves each which were placed on the table in the portable sanctuary and later in the Temple once a week upon Shabbat).

The portion ends with the interesting story of a man who blasphemed God's name with a curse. What should be the penalty for this transgression? Curious? Leviticus. 24:14.

* * *

Dvar Torah
based on Growth Through Torah by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin

The Torah states:

"And you shall take on the first day a fruit of the citron tree, branches of palm trees, myrtle branches and willows of the brooks, and you shall rejoice before the Almighty seven days." (Lev. 23:40)

What lesson can we learn from this verse about joy?

Rabbi Ephraim Shlomo of Lutshitz teaches in his commentary the Kli Yakar that true joy is only possible when there is peace amongst people. Quarrels cause so many difficulties and problems that joy is impossible when there is strife and conflict. This is symbolized in our verse. The four species we take in hand on Sukkot symbolize the various types of people who make up the Jewish nation. Holding them together is a sign of peace and unity. Only when there is togetherness can the latter part of the verse, joy before the Almighty, be fulfilled.

Quarrels destroy people's lives. Both on the national level and on the personal level, peace is essential for a good life. Even if a person has many positive things in his life, if he is argumentative and quarrelsome he will not be able to enjoy what he has.

Many quarrels can easily be avoided by just thinking sensibly about how irrational and counterproductive it is to waste time and energy in a quarrel that really makes no practical difference. Before becoming involved in a quarrel ask yourself, "What are the potential benefits of this quarrel? What are its potential losses? Is it really worthwhile to be involved in this quarrel?"

Joy and happiness are necessary traits for living a good life. Quarrels are destructive and cause much pain and suffering. By avoiding quarrels whenever possible, you will enable yourself to live a much more joyous life.

CANDLE LIGHTING - May 9
(or go to http://www.aish.com/shabbat/candlelighting.asp)

Jerusalem 6:50
Guatemala 6:03 - Hong Kong 6:34 - Honolulu 6:41
J'Burg 5:14 - London 8:17 - Los Angeles 7:25
Melbourne 5:05 - Mexico City 7:43 - Miami 7:39
New York 7:43 - Singapore 6:49 - Toronto 8:11

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

To the world, a mother may be one person,
but to one person, a mother may be the world ...

In Honor of
Rabbi Noah Weinberg
Upon the 35th Anniversary
of our meeting and
my becoming his student