This Week’s Torah Portion – Emor 5769

Steve Brizel writes:

Kedushas Kehunah and Kedushas Am Yisrael

  • R. Aharon Lichtenstein explains why non-Kohanim can and should emulate the Kohen in our everyday lives: link
  • R. Yisocher Frand illustrates why the Halachos of Tumas Kohanim, even for a minor, serve as the basis for the mitzvah of Chinuch: link
  • R. Zvi Sobolofshy explores numerous halachos related to Kedushas Kehunah and whether a Kohen can be a doctor: link 1 (audio), link 2 (audio)
  • R. Shlomo Riskin and R Avraham Gordimer explain why Kohanim must avoid Tumas Mes: link 1, link 2
  • R. Ephraim Buchwald explains why even a Kohen Gadol must involve himself with the burial of a Mes Mitzvah: link
  • R. Berel Wein reminds us that the Kohanim served both a special role in the Avodah in the Beis HaMikdash and as teachers of Klal Yisrael: link
  • Parshas HaMoados

  • R. Yitzchak Etshalom presents an overview of Parshas HaMoados: link
  • R. Michael Rosensweig explains the relationship between Shabbos and the Moadim: link
  • R. Baruch Simon explores numerous aspects of Hilchos Eruvin: link 1 (audio), link 2 (audio), link 3 (audio), link 4 (audio), link 5 (audio) (and many more as well)
  • R. Asher Brander explores why we do not say Borei Minei Bsamim on a Motzaei Yom Tov: link
  • R. Yissocher Frand, based upon two observations of Rav Shlomoh Zalman Auerbach, explains why Shabbos HaGadol reminds us of the difference between Shabbos and the other Moadim and why there is a custom to use the title “Reb” to call someone up for an aliyah: link
  • R. Dovid Hirsch, based upon the teachings of Rav Soloveitchik ZTL, explains the need for continuity in Sefiras HaOmer: link (audio)
  • R. Dovid Gottlieb discusses how one properly acquires the Four Species: link (audio)
  • R. Asher Weiss explores the foundations of Sefiras HaOmer: link
  • R. Mordechai Willig, based on Breishis Rabbah 61:3, offers another explanation for the death of the talmidim of R Akiva, and exhorts us to refrain from begrudging the success of others, especially during a time of financial downturn: link
  • R. Baruch Simon explains how to use the period of Sefiras HaOmer as a time for reaching a state of Shlemus HaAdam: link (audio)
  • R. Avraham Gordimer suggests why the Halachos of the Lechem HaPanim and the Menorah precede the episode of blasphemer: link
  • R. David Horwitz explains Shavuos seemingly has no visible symbol of commemoration: link
  • Last year’s roundup: link

    About Luke Ford

    I've written five books (see Amazon.com). My work has been covered in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and on 60 Minutes. I teach Alexander Technique in Beverly Hills (Alexander90210.com).
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