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EMOR
Leviticus
21:1-24:23
Ezekiel 44:15-31
1 Peter 2:4-10
1 Peter 2-5: Come, and like
living stones, be yourselves built into a spiritual house, for a holy,
(dedicated, consecrated) priesthood, to offer up those spiritual
sacrifices that are acceptable and pleasing to G-d through our Messiah.
1 Peter 2:9: But you are a
chosen race a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, G-d's own, purchased,
special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the
virtues and perfection's of Him who called you out of darkness into His
marvelous light (Exodus 19:5-6).
This Parashah comes at the
end of a section on holiness, which began in Leviticus chapter 17. The
main content of these chapters is to show the need for the priests to be
TAHOR, pure, in order to perform their duties.
Leviticus 21:1-24:23
There are three levels of
sanctification described here. The principles of holiness, as experienced
by the Jewish nation, are from the broad base of the nation, up to the
level of the Levites, and then to the highest level, the Kohanim, with the
Kohen Gadol (High Priest) at the very summit of human holiness.
What is the function of the
Kohanim? First, he is the head of the body of all of Israel (1 Cor
12:12-27). He is in charge of the body of Israel, and has the power to
rectify all the actions done by Israel. Another function is to facilitate
Shalom, peace. This is obvious from the final words of the Priestly
Blessing (Num 6:26), “May G-d lift up His countenance upon you and
establish Shalom, peace for you.”
The word Shalom encompasses
peacefulness, the absence of conflict, contentment, perspective, and
hope. The Kohanim are the medium through which the nation can
collectively and individually realize their potential for Shalom. They do
not only bless the people, they help facilitate the integration of Shalom
into the lives of the nation.
Eph 2:10-15
Messiah brought us to be a
holy, redeemed people and brought peace, not only between G-d and man, but
also brought peace upon our land through unity and harmony.
G-d made us both Jew and
non-Jew, into one body and has broken down, destroyed, abolished, the
hostile wall between us. He created one new quality of humanity out of
two. Thus He created peace, Shalom. No more enmity, no more killing, and
the end of all feuds.
This will be completely
fulfilled in the Messianic Age, when there will be complete Shalom. For
now, those of us here, have the opportunity to receive His Shalom so we
can be His messengers of peace just as the Kohanim.
Shavua Tov
Rabbi Z
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