D’var Torah Emor


In last week’s parasha, Kedoshim, the entire congregation of Israel was told “k’doshim tihiyu” (you shall be holy). Our parasha continues with the holiness of the Kohanim, who are to be the spiritual leaders of the People.
My father commented that the order of the parshiyot is significant. In some ways, leadership is a reflection of the people. When the people as a whole are concerned with sanctity and have spiritual values, their leadership too will be of a high caliber. One cannot expect the leadership to be holy unless the people as a whole become holy.
This idea is reflected in the eighth verse of chapter 21: “... he (the Kohen) shall be holy, for I, God who sanctifies you, am holy”.
The sanctity of the Kohanim derives from the sanctity with which God endowed the People of Israel. (David Magence)

Shabbat Shalom!
The Va’ad