Leviticus can make for some challenging reading, not because it might seem rather dry to some, but because of what it reveals about us and about the perfection of God. You shall not offer anything that has a blemish, for it will not be acceptable for you. Speak to Aaron and his sons and all the people of Israel and say to them, When any one of the house of Israel or of the sojourners in Israel presents a burnt offering as his offering, for any of their vows or freewill offerings that they offer to the Lord, if it is to be accepted for you it shall be a male without blemish, of the bulls or the sheep or the goats. Later, he delivers instructions about offerings, as well: And then, “They shall therefore keep my charge, lest they bear sin for it and die thereby when they profane it: I am the Lord who sanctifies them” (verse 9). In chapter 22, the Lord gives Moses instructions for him to relate to Aaron and his sons: “Say to them, ‘If any one of your offspring throughout your generations approaches the holy things that the people dedicate to the Lord, while he has an uncleanness, that person shall be cut off from my presence: I am the Lord’” (verse 3). The solution that Leviticus proposes for enabling us, in our sinful condition, to approach God is purity, and there is perhaps nowhere in this book where this solution is presented more succinctly and clearly than in this week’s parasha, Emor. God’s incomparable holiness is portrayed in stark contrast to humanity’s corrupt, fallen nature. In most cases, the prescribed punishment for these transgressions is death, and in other cases, exile from the community. We read of child sacrifice, necromancy, mediumship, and all manner of sexual perversion, including incest and bestiality. Elsewhere, a young man blasphemes the name of God, and is stoned to death for it by his community at God’s command (chapter 24). But with a slight adjustment of perspective, we can see Leviticus as something different, a narrative as compelling, vivid, and disquieting as any horror story.Īaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu are burned alive through the power of God, a consequence for perhaps as little as coming to the tent of meeting while drunk (chapter 10). Perhaps this is rightfully so, considering that nearly the entire text comprises descriptions of sacrifices, and rules and regulations for priests and lay people. Leviticus is not typically thought of as a very exciting book. Chaim Dauermann, Simchat Yisrael, West Haven, CT
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