Parashat Emor
16th May 2025
Week of 11-17 May 2025
Torah portion: Leviticus 21:1-24:23 Haftarah: Ezekiel 44:15-31
Theme: Speak
Sefirah HaOmer, the counting of the Omer, symbolizes the period of time that passed, for the Jews, between the Exodus from Egypt to the Revelation of Torah and their Covenant with G_d.
Nachmonides conferred upon this time, the concept of Azaret (to retain), in the sense of a spiritual vessel the Israelites were to construct within their hearts and minds in which to store the great revelations of the Exodus.
It is to be observed when the Israelites enter the Promised Land, and is to commence on the 2nd day of Passover and last for 49 days; the 50th day, Shavuot, celebrates Mattan Torah, the Giving of Torah and Chag HaBikurim, the Festival of first fruits.
“And from the day, on which you bring the sheaf of elevation offering – the day after the Sabbath – you shall count off seven weeks. They must be complete: you must count until the day after the seventh week – 50 days” (Lev. 23:15-16). On that same day you shall hold a celebration; it shall be a sacred occasion for you” (Lev.12:21)
Rabbi Noson Weisz regards it as a time to devote to raising one’s spiritual awareness.
With the practice of “A Spiritual Guide to the Counting of the Omer”, as developed by Simon Jacobson, a person is aided to refine and develop within themselves character traits that will enable them to become aware of who they are, where their shortcomings lie, and their potential within. Each week focuses on a particular personality trait with each day of the week encouraging introspection on how that particular trait manifests within each person, and is affected by the seven other traits.
The examination of one’s shortcomings can fire the desire to begin the struggle to make the sought-after change.
In his book “Tanya”, Rav. Schneur Zalman wrote “Ulay l’kach nivra” which translates “Perhaps you were created in order to struggle”. He said that “rather than discourage us, that the greatness of our challenges in life should serve as an indicator of how important it is to persist in our efforts, and should reassure us that since we were presented with such a great challenge, we were certainly also granted the resources and fortitude to surmount it.
Thus, the struggle we experience within our lives, whether it is spiritual, physical or circumstantial, can be the impetus that causes us to seek G_D and that struggle can reveal inner strengths which we were unaware of possessing. This should reassure us that we are on the right path.
For Reflection and Discussion: 1. Have you ever felt that a personal struggle was for your benefit? 2. What change did you observe in yourself when the struggle was resolved?
Bibliography: JPS TANAKH: TANYA-Rabbi Schneur Zalman; A Guide to the Spiritual Counting of the Omer- Simon Jacobson; Plaut: The Torah- A Modern Commentary; Chabad Commentary-“Why Me?” by Rabbi Mendel Kalmenson; Aish Commentary – The Double Image by Rabbi Noson Weisz
This week’s Parasha Commentary was prepared by
Gwen-Ellen Dankewich, Canada, Bat Kol Alumna: 2008
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