Dvar Torah: Parshat Emor

This week’s Parsha, Parshat Emor, highlights the laws that the Kohanim must keep in order to be pure and serve in the Beit Hamikdash. Examples of such laws are the Kohen's prohibitions from going near dead bodies (besides those of his immediate family), marrying a divorced woman, or marrying a convert. In Vayikra 21:6, it says, “They shall be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God; for they offer Hashem’s offerings by fire, the food of their God, and so must be holy.” Birkat Asher comments that a Kohen cannot pray for his own honor. This shows that the purpose of the כיבוד Kohanim is really to respect Hashem - we honor Kohanim because they honor Him. Therefore, Kohanim praying for their own honor brings bad to Hashem’s name and defeats the purpose of being a Kohen, which is to be the intermediary between Hashem and the Jewish nation.

Why is this such a big deal, and what difference does this make in our lives? It teaches us that everything we do in this life is for the sake of representing Hashem. As Jews, we are like the Kohanim, but instead of serving as an example for the rest of Bnei Yisrael, we serve as an example for the whole world. Rather than seeking credit, fame or honor for accomplishments or mitzvot that we do in life, we must understand that the sole purpose of doing such actions is for the sake of being better people, improving the world, and strengthening our relationship with Hashem.