Emor (Speak)
This week’s parashah continues on the subject of holiness specifically through the cohanim and the rules for the Cohen Gadol dealing with death, marriage and offerings. In the middle of the parashah we have the chapter of ha Moedim, G-d’s Appointed Times which for us as Messianic believers are the chart for the work of Messiah. This portion ends with the teachings concerning the menorah and the lechem panim, the bread of the Presence and finishes with the story of the son of the Jewish mother and Egyptian father, who blasphemes the Name of G-d is stoned to death. Emor is rich with meaning but for today, I will focus upon one important teaching. Emor itself means “to say” and according to our sages it is sometimes better to remain silent than to speak out. “Ibn Gavirol ben Shalom wrote an article on four ways of using words. He states that there is only one way that words should be used in our speech—positively with words of encouragement, looking at the future without being incriminatory toward others or ourselves. When you don’t say something which you might later regret having not said, at least here you don’t need to ask forgiveness to anyone only to G-d. But if you said something hurtful not only do you regret it but no amount of repentance can take back your words. Holiness is a condition which G-d Himself bestowed upon us. For that reason, our tongue needs to be domesticated. Yaakov (James) 3:1ff.
We say that are living in the time of communication yet it is also a time when mankind truly has the worst communication. We have learned to speak “at” each other, “about” each other, “against” each other but we have not learned to speak “to” each other in respect and truth.
When we speak against one another including ourselves (lashon harah hirh [vsl- the evil tongue), we are committing Chillul ha Shem yy lvlx, or cursing the Name of G-d since we have been made in His image. Once it is spoken we cannot take it back.
In Psalm 139:23-24 David is asking G-d to search him, to know his heart. In Judaism the heart is our thoughts, not our feelings. The word, “try” me has the same connotation as when Abraham was “tested” in the Akeda. G-d was going to show Abraham a miracle through this experience and when we ask Him to check our thoughts we can watch the amazing ways that G-d will work in us.
May the Glory go to our G-d, the One who has the capability to make us holy and to keep us and our tongues, our thoughts domesticated in order to be covered by his holiness.
May G-d add blessings to His Word.