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EMOR
Leviticus 21:1-24:23
Ezekiel 44:15-31
1
Peter 2:4-10
This Parasha discusses
teachings specifically towards the Kohanim, the Holy Day cycle, and
instructions about the menorah and sacred bread. There must be holiness
in the administration of justice within the redeemed community.
The basic premise of this
portion of Scripture is that we, like the Kohanim (priests) are to be
Torah pure and sanctified. We are to be different from the rest of the
people around us. We are His redeemed, and He has given us a sacred text,
instructions to live by.
Priests are to avoid being
defiled by the death of a loved one, often their parents and immediate
unmarried family. The High Priest cannot attend a funeral, even of his
closest relatives. A spirit of grief can disable him from carrying out
his duties within the community.
The Torah (law) is a picture
and type of things to come (Hebrews 8:4-5; 10:1).
Defilement
of close kin cannot prevent our work (Luke 9:60-Let the dead bury the
dead; but you go and preach the Kingdom of G-d).
It
seems uncaring, a harsh word; but we must recognize as those who extend
“spiritual priesthood” the importance of the work we do supersedes cares
of this world.
Don’t look at the image in
the mirror, it is not you, it is only a reflection of you. You need to
look beyond the reflection into that which is real. Yeshua reversed how
to see beyond the Torah, to see “The Perfect.” EXAMPLE: Matthew 5:27-28
You have heard that it was said by them of old time, you shall not commit
adultery, but I say unto you, that whosoever looks on a woman to lust
after has committed adultery already in his heart.
Regarding the giving of
offerings, you shall offer at your own will a male without blemish; but
whatever has a blemish, that you will not offer; for it shall not be
acceptable for you (Lev 22:19-20; 1Peter 1:19). By giving our best and
not our leftovers, we will not fall short of the reflection shown by
Torah. If we want our offering to count, we will give our best.
Concerning the Feasts of the
Lord, six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of
rest, a holy convocation; you shall do no work herein; it is the Sabbath
of the lord in all your dwellings (Lev 23:1-3). It is not a suggestion.
We are to set aside the seventh day of every week as special. Remember,
Torah is a reflection of “The Perfect,” so we have to see where it is
pointing and go there.
Where does it point us?
G-d’s word tells us that we are special (Deut 7:6), chosen for a purpose.
What is the purpose? To be a holy people (Deut 7:6; 1Peter 2:9). To be a
Kingdom of Priests (Ex 19:6), called into righteousness and to be a light
to the world (Acts 13:47). To bring salvation to the ends of the earth
(Isaiah 49:6), to the Jew first and also to the non-Jew (Romans 1:16).
Take hold of “The Perfect,”
which is reflected to us in the Torah. Become what G-d intended for you
to be. G-d wants servants who are blameless (1Tim 3:2,10).
Shavua Tov
Rabbi Z
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