PARSHAS EMOR
Can you figure out what each picture has to do with the parsha?
Rabbi Dani Staum
KEY to Parshas Emor Pix
Omer/ 49 – The mitzvah of Sefiras Haomer is to count 49 days from the bringing of the Korbon Omer on the second day of Pesach until Shavuos. 23:15-16
24/6 – Before beginning its discussion about the annual holidays of the year, the Torah repeats that Shabbos is observed after the 6-day workweek. 23:3
15:15 – Both the holiday of Pesach and Succos begin on the 15th day of their respective months. The gemara learns out certain connections between the two holidays because of that date connection. 23:6, 23:34 & Succah 27a
Privileged Status – Because Kohanim have a privileged status, they also have added regulations and responsibilities. Those laws are mentioned at the beginning of parshas Emor. 21:1-9
Missing a funeral – One of the restrictions of Kohanim is that they may only attend funerals of seven closest relatives (father, mother, wife, son, daughter, unmarried sister, brother) and a meis mitzvah (dead body with no one to bury it). 21:1-3
No-Sir – The meat of korbanos may not be left over past its allotted time. If it is left over, it is called nosar (no-sir) and must be burned. 23:30
Olive Oil – After detailing the annual holidays of the year, the Torah instructs about the mitzvah of lighting the candles of the menorah each day with pure olive oil. This is a hint to the holiday of Chanukah. 24:2
Go To Jail – At the end of the parsha the Torah relates the tragic story of the Jew whose father was an Egyptian and cursed Hashem. He was first placed in a holding cell until Moshe was informed that the blasphemer was to be stoned to death. 24:12
Twelve Loaves – After instructing about the laws of lighting the Menorah the Torah commands about the placement of the twelve loaves upon the Shulchan (Holy Table) in the Heichal. They would remain there all week and then be removed and replaced on Shabbos, whereupon the kohanim would divide and eat them. Miraculously, the loaves remained fresh all week. [The Rokeiach (225 & 240) writes that this is a hint to the holiday of Purim which demonstrated that our relationship and connection with Hashem had not grown “stale” during the exile.] 24:5-6
Temporary Relocation – During the seven days of the holiday of Succos we move out of permanent homes to settle in temporary flimsy structures, a symbolic declaration of our trust in Hashem. 23:42
