By: Lower School JS Teacher & Hebrew Resource Specialist, Yitzie Lieberman
Parashat Emor is known for its detailed laws about the Kohanim, the Jewish priests who served in the Beit HaMikdash. These special laws highlight the holiness expected of those who serve G-d in the most sacred spaces. But surprisingly, right in the middle of these laws, the Torah turns its attention to something that affects every Jew, not just the Kohanim: the calendar of Jewish holidays. Why is the list of festivals placed here, in a section focused on holiness and purity?
Shabbos, Pesach, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot are all spoken of in this parsha. Combined, they create the Jewish calendar—a cycle of sanctity infused within time.
What's incredible is that these holidays aren't even defined as rituals to be performed or dates to observe. They're Mikraei Kodesh—holy callings, or sacred congregations. The Torah is teaching us that even time itself can be sacred, but only if we sanctify it. That is, it's not necessarily what the date is; it's what we do with it.
This is a wonderful lesson: we are co-creators with G-d in making the world holy. Just as Kohanim make the Temple holy, we make time holy. When we light Shabbos candles, sit in a sukkah, or hear the shofar, we are proclaiming: this moment is holy. We are removing time from the profane and making it holy.
Still more: this is not only about holidays. Any time can be sacred if we bring purpose, intention, and mindfulness into it.
As we study Parashat Emor, we are reminded that holiness isn't only about places or individuals, but time too. And we can make our lives more meaningful—not just on holidays, but on each and every day.
Shabbat Shalom!