Parsha “Emor” (Leviticus chapters 21 through 24) begins with the word “Emor,” or “speak,” and it is directed specifically: to Aaron, and his sons, and those who are ‘cohenim,’ or priests, that follow after them. Speak to THEM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And yet today, the mishkan, and the temple which followed, no longer exists. Neither does that priesthood, so far as a known lineage at least. And so, even though this instruction was given as a commandment “forever,” and “throughout your generations,” and in all your dwellings — even in exile — the things they were charged with doing cannot be done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How can it still be relevant?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And though most of us have probably been told that it’s “old testament,” and thus NOT relevant, Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship suggests (surprise!) otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For reasons that might even be surprising. And vital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And in fact, it just might be that the fact we’ve been told to ignore so much of this, and particularly when YHVH says otherwise, that gives us every reason to look deeper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Erev Shabbat reading lays out the details of exactly what the cohenim, those who follow the sons of Aaron, were told to do, and how:<\/p>\n\n\n\n