Emor: Living Al Kiddush Hashem

Sanctity Begins with Responsibility

Parshat Emor opens with: "Emor el haKohanim v’amarta aleihem"—“Speak to the Kohanim and say to them.” Rashi explains this double expression as “l’hazhir gedolim al hak’tanim”—a reminder that elders must guide the young. This is not just about law transmission, but about how we pass down Torah—with patience, love, and a sense of sacred duty.

Smoke at Sinai: The Symbolism of Kedusha

When Hashem gave us the Torah, Har Sinai kulo ashan—the mountain was engulfed in smoke. The Midrash teaches that ASHAN (עשן) is an acronym:

• Ayin (ע) – Olam (world)

• Shin (ש) – Shana (year)

• Nun (ן) – Nefesh Adam (human soul)

Holiness touches every dimension: place, time, and the human soul. Tangible, like smoke, Kedusha permeated our surroundings, forever transforming our world.

The Three Realms of Holiness

Each of the Parshiyot—Kedoshim, Emor, and Behar-Bechukotai—focuses on one of the three pillars of holiness:

• Kedoshim: Kedushas HaAdam—the potential for every Jew to live a holy life.

• Emor: Kedushas HaZman—the sanctity of time, expressed in Shabbat and the Yamim Tovim.

• Behar-Bechukotai: Kedushas HaMakom—laws of Shemitah and Yovel, elevating Eretz Yisrael.

In Emor, we see all three woven together—Kohanim (holy people), the Mo’adim (holy times), and the Mishkan (holy space).

Preserving Kedusha Through Boundaries

Moments of inspiration—like Pesach night or a family simcha—can fade. The Parsha teaches us to preserve Kedusha by setting boundaries.

The Kohanim had clear restrictions to protect their status. So too, we protect our holiness with our speech. Torah uses refined language (“beheima asher einena tehora” instead of “tamei”) to model how we must speak with dignity.

Speech leads thought, and thought leads action. A holy life starts with guarding our words.

The Mo’adim: Sanctifying Time

Why does the Torah begin the festivals section with Shabbat? Because it is the source of all Kedusha in time. Hashem gave us the power to sanctify time—“Mikraei Kodesh asher tikre’u otam”—we declare the new moon and thus the festivals.

Each Yom Tov corresponds to agricultural milestones:

• Pesach: Korban HaOmer—thanking Hashem at harvest’s start.

• Shavuot: Shtei HaLechem—acknowledging completion of the grain season.

• Sukkot: Chag HaAsif—gathering fruits with gratitude.

Every season is a chance to recognize Hashem’s hand in our success.

Every Effort Counts: Sefirat HaOmer

We count for ourselves—“U’Sfartem Lachem”—to track our spiritual growth between Pesach and Shavuot. Rabbi Wallerstein zt”l told a story of Venice’s fall because of hesitation. Sometimes one small action can change everything.

Don’t wait to do good. Don’t postpone kindness or tefillah. Count each day and make it matter.

Giving as a Path to Kedusha

Immediately after Sefirat HaOmer, we’re commanded: Leket, Shikcha, and Pe’ah—leave portions of your field for the poor. Why now?

Because preparing for Kabbalat HaTorah must include thinking of others. The Torah says giving tzedakah during harvest is like rebuilding the Beit Hamikdash and offering Korbanot. True Kedusha comes from selflessness.

Seeing Miracles in the Mundane

The Parsha ends with the tragic story of the blasphemer—someone who mocked the Lechem HaPanim. He scoffed: “Bread can’t stay hot for a week!”

But this bread wasn’t physical—it symbolized Hashem’s daily sustenance. A non-Jew may marvel at thunder and lightning, but a Jew sees miracles in every paycheck, every meal, every breath. When we fail to recognize that, we fall.

Living Al Kiddush Hashem

“V’Nikdashti B’toch Bnei Yisrael”—“I shall be sanctified among the Children of Israel.”Rashi teaches that for the three cardinal sins—idolatry, immorality, and murder—we must give our lives.

But the Sfas Emes shares a deeper insight: It is even greater to live Al Kiddush Hashem than to die for it.

We once stood in Gora, Poland, on a trip with my dear husband zt”l. It was Parshas Emor. In the Beit Midrash of Gur, he opened the Sfas Emes and shared this teaching with the girls: Every moment of life can be a Kiddush Hashem. Every decision, every boundary we uphold, every kind word—brings Kedusha into the world.

Final Thoughts: Infusing Our Lives with Kedusha

Kedusha isn’t reserved for Har Sinai or the Beit Hamikdash. It’s in how we speak. How we give. How we use our time. How we live.

This week, let’s reflect:

• Are we passing holiness to the next generation with patience and clarity?

• Are we setting boundaries that protect our spiritual dignity?

• Are we sanctifying our time with intention?

• Are we seeing the miracles in our daily bread?

May we be zocheh to not only receive Kedusha—but to live it, breathe it, and transmit it.

Shabbat Shalom.