Emor
Leviticus 21:1 - 24:23
Précis: This parasha is divided into four sections. First, it reviews procedures for the Priests to use to remain ritually pure. Second, it outlines the festival and holiday calendar. Third, it explains the use of the olive oil and bread on display on the altar. Finally, there is a brief narrative about a blasphemer who is condemned to death.
Leviticus 24:10-12 “And the son of an Israelite woman, whose father was Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel; and the son of the Israelite woman and a man of Israel fought in the camp. And the son of the Israelite woman blasphemed the Name, and cursed; and they brought him to Moses. And his mother’s name was Shelomnit, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan.”
This little-known scrap of narrative near the end of the Book of Leviticus raises an interesting question: Why do we need such a lengthy presentation of this anonymous individual’s lineage? After all, he acted by himself, he provoked a fight, and he cursed God alone. Why should we mention his mother, grandmother, and his tribe?
Rashi suggests that the text teaches us a lesson: those engaged in evil acts bring shame not only upon on themselves, but also on their parents and on their other relations. He adds that those who engage in positive actions can earn praise for themselves and for their families as well (what some refer to in Yiddish as “yichus,” roughly translated as pedigree). In short, while we may act alone, our actions reflect on others who are close to us. Any parent (or child) will recognize the truth of this concept. If we expand this concept just a bit, we may consider the aphorism “Kol Yisrael arevim zeh la-zeh" [all Jews (or all the people of Israel) are responsible for one another]. Our individual actions can and do reflect on the Jewish People as a whole.
We observe this phenomenon when a prominent Jewish businessman or politician is revealed to have acted improperly, even criminally. We cringe just a bit. We also recognized this when we look with pride on the latest Jewish Nobel Prize winner, a Jewish astronaut, a new Jewish political leader, a movie star who we learn is Jewish, the latest supermodel who turns out to be a MOT (member of the Tribe), or even a Jewish sports hero (a tip of the hat to the new Yankee, Kevin Youkalis!). One courageous or brilliant Jew can inspire all of us (think Einstein), just as one evil doer can belittle all of us (the name Madoff comes to mind). Each of us has a responsibility to act as though the whole world is watching, and waiting to see what the Jew will do next.
