Aliya Summary: Blemished animals are disqualified for sacrificial
use. This Aliya also forbids the castration of animals, sacrificing
animals before they are eight days old, and slaughtering a mother animal
and her child on the same day. The Aliya concludes with the mitzvah of
kiddush Hashem, sanctifying G‑d's Name by giving one's life rather than
transgressing certain cardinal sins.
We may not
desecrate G-d's Name; we must sanctify His Name: These commandments have
many facets. A Jew is required to give up their life rather than
violate one of the "big three": murder, incest/adultery and idolatry. In
times of "forced conversion", martyrdom is required even for the
"smallest" violation.
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Monday, May 4, 2015
Daily Aliya for Emor, Sheni (2nd Aliya)
Aliya Summary: This Aliya discusses bodily blemishes and ritual
impurities which disqualify a Kohen from performing the Temple priestly
duties. The Aliya then lays down the rules regarding who in the Kohen's
household may eat teruma, the tithe from produce given to the Kohanim.
Interesting point from ou.org: If a non-kohen eats Teruma (food meant for the kohen) intentionally, he is liable to "death penalty from heaven". The punishment for eating Tevel (food not yet processed/split up) is the same. Perhaps we have here examples of the opposite types of sin. The former sin involves eating something "too sacred" for the individual. The latter is a sin that involves the opposite - the Tevel is so profane without any "mitzvot" separated, no sanctifying acts having been done with it. Going beyond halachic limits in either direction is equally sinful.
Interesting point from ou.org: If a non-kohen eats Teruma (food meant for the kohen) intentionally, he is liable to "death penalty from heaven". The punishment for eating Tevel (food not yet processed/split up) is the same. Perhaps we have here examples of the opposite types of sin. The former sin involves eating something "too sacred" for the individual. The latter is a sin that involves the opposite - the Tevel is so profane without any "mitzvot" separated, no sanctifying acts having been done with it. Going beyond halachic limits in either direction is equally sinful.
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Daily Aliya for Emor, Rishon (1st Aliya)
General Overview: This week's reading, Emor, discusses the laws which
pertain to Kohanim (priests), and various laws which relate to
sacrifices. These are followed by a lengthy discussion of the festivals.
The Parsha concludes with the story of a blasphemer who was put to
death.
Aliya Summary: The Aliya discusses the Kohen's obligation to maintain a high level of ritual purity, and the women he may marry. An ordinary Kohen is prohibited to come in contact with a human corpse -- except to attend the funerals of his next of kin -- and may not marry a divorcee as well as some other women. The High Priest is not permitted to attend even family funerals, and is required to marry a virgin.
Aliya Summary: The Aliya discusses the Kohen's obligation to maintain a high level of ritual purity, and the women he may marry. An ordinary Kohen is prohibited to come in contact with a human corpse -- except to attend the funerals of his next of kin -- and may not marry a divorcee as well as some other women. The High Priest is not permitted to attend even family funerals, and is required to marry a virgin.
Friday, May 1, 2015
Daily Aliya for Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, Shvii (7th Aliya)
Aliya Summary: The Torah sets the punishments for individuals who
curse their parents and those who engage in prohibited sexual relations.
We are instructed not to follow the customs and traditions of the
heathens, and to be meticulous about eating only kosher foods. The Torah
portion ends with an rejoinder that we be holy.
Notice the dual role that every Jew must play. We are each individuals and we are part of Klal Yisrael. We are exhorted to keep the Torah as individuals, but we are also "advised" to be faithful to G-d so that tragedies will not happen to the People of Israel as a whole.
Notice the dual role that every Jew must play. We are each individuals and we are part of Klal Yisrael. We are exhorted to keep the Torah as individuals, but we are also "advised" to be faithful to G-d so that tragedies will not happen to the People of Israel as a whole.
Daily Aliya for Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, Shishi (6th Aliya)
Aliya Summary: We are commandment to love converts. We are also
enjoined to be truthful in business dealing by maintaining honest
weights and measures. The Torah prescribes capital punishment for one
who worships Molech; a form of idolatry which required human sacrifices.
The Torah also describes the punishment which will befall the nation if
they neglect to punish Molech worshippers.
Keep all of G-d's statutes and laws. (This too is a commandment, but it would be "unfair" to count it among the 613 mitzvot, because it is general and all-encompassing of the other mitzvot of the Torah. The Rambam excludes this kind of mitzva from the counting of 613 commandments in the rule he sets down in the first section of his Book of Mitzvot. )
Keep all of G-d's statutes and laws. (This too is a commandment, but it would be "unfair" to count it among the 613 mitzvot, because it is general and all-encompassing of the other mitzvot of the Torah. The Rambam excludes this kind of mitzva from the counting of 613 commandments in the rule he sets down in the first section of his Book of Mitzvot. )
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