Emor
The Big KEHUNA
God tells Moses to relate to the Kohanim (Jewish priests) that they must maintain their sanctity. They may not come into contact with dead people, except for members of their immediate families. They are also not permitted to marry divorcees.
The Kohen Gadol (High Priest) may not even come into contact with dead members of his own family. If a member of his family passes away, he must place the service in the Holy Temple before his own mourning. He may not marry a divorcee nor may he marry a widow.
God further instructs Moses that Kohanim who are marred with permanent blemishes may not serve in the Holy Temple. They may not enter into the sanctuary while they are in a ritual state of impurity.
Kohanim receive tithes from produce that is grown in Israel. The members of their immediate families may eat these tithes. Kohanim also receive portions of the various sacrifices and offerings that are brought to the Holy Temple.
God instructs Moses in laws concerning animals. Animals brought for sacrifices must be whole and free of blemishes. The portions given to Kohanim must be consumed no later than the evening following the day of its sacrifice - or on the following day for certain types of sacrifices.
It is forbidden to taking a newborn baby away from its mother. It is also forbidden to castrate or neuter any animal.
God tells Moses that the Festivals must be held at specific times. The Paschal Sacrifice is slaughtered on the 14th day of the month of Nissan. Passover must begin on the 15th of Nissan. We must count the days from the day after Passover (Sefiras Haomer) until Shavuos when we bring an offering of two loaves of bread to the Holy Temple.
On the 1st day of Tishrei is the Day of Shofar Sounding – Rosh Hashanah. On the 10th day of that month we must spend the entire day –from sunset to sunset - in fasting. It is Yom Kippur. The 15th day of that month is Sukkos. We must sit in Sukkos to remind us that God protected us as we left Egypt and remained in the desert. We must also take the Four Species – the lulav (palm branch), esrog (citron fruit), hadasim (myrtle branches) and aravos – and lift and wave them together.
On the 8th day after the beginning of Sukkos is a special festival called Shmini Atzeres.
We must be careful to declare leap years to ensure that the festivals will occur in their proper seasons.
At the end of the parsha, a Jewish man, the son of Jewish woman named Shlomis Bas Divri, and a non-Jewish father, engages in an argument with other people. He stands in the middle of the encampment and pronounces God's name and curses it. He is apprehended. Moses asks God what the man's punishment should be. God tells Moses that the man should be put to death. He is brought outside the encampment and put to death.
Questions
Why is Kohen limited in his choice of a wife? Why can't he marry whomever he wants?
Why can't a Kohen serve in the Temple if he has a blemish? Why should a cosmetic thing affect his knowledge and practice of the service?
Why does it matter what an animal looks like (if it has a blemish it may not be used) when it is used as a sacrificial offering?
Why is it forbidden to castrate and neuter animals if want to limit their populations?
Why did the son of Shlomis bas Divri curse God?