Shabbat Table Topics – Parashat Emor/0/en

Shabbat Table Topics – Parashat Emor

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How do you Sanctify Hashem's Name?

The verse "וְנִקְדַּשְׁתִּי בְּתוֹךְ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל" is often cited as the source for the obligation to sanctify Hashem's name.

• What actions constitute a "Kiddush Hashem"?  While the Sifra asserts that the verse is referring to the obligation of martydom, Rambam and R. D"Z Hoffmann claim that it speaks more generally of positive behavior.¹ Which of these approaches has more support in the text?

• The phrase "וְנִקְדַּשְׁתִּי בְּתוֹךְ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל" is formulated in the passive rather than the imperative (as might be expected of a command), leading ibn Ezra to suggest that it does not constitute an obligation at all, but simply describes the consequence of observance of mitzvot.

Sectarian Debates

The date of the Omer offering has been a source of fiery debate between different sects of Judaism and assorted commentators from time immemorial. The Torah gives no calendrical date, instead declaring that it should be brought "מִמׇּחֳרַת הַשַּׁבָּת".  While the Samaritan, Karaite and Qumran sects all understand "הַשַּׁבָּת" to refer to the seventh day of the week (setting the offering on a Sunday), Rabbinic Judaism maintains that it refers to the first day of Chag HaMatzot (setting  the Omer on the 16th of Nisan). See MiMachorat HaShabbat.

• What is motivating the Rabbinic position to read the word "Shabbat" in this manner?  Is this a valid understanding of the word?  What other textual or theological issues might lead them to disagree with the Sectarian readings?
• According to the Sectarians, the Torah uniquely dates the Omer to a day of the week, leaving the day of the month flexible.²
• What, though, is so significant about a Sunday that Hashem would decide that the Omer offering (and thus Shavuot) need to fall out on that day of the week? 
• In addition, the flexible dating serves to sever any connection between Shavuot and commemoration of any historical event. What does that do to "חג מתן תורתנו" ?
• I. Kislev somewhat uniquely understands the phrase "מִמׇּחֳרַת הַשַּׁבָּת" to mean "the morrow of the cessation" and suggests that the Omer was originally brought on the day after the cessation of the manna.  In fact, the whole offering was meant to commemorate the miracle of the manna and the subsequent transition from supernatural providence to natural living.  Why might it be important to remember the miracle of the manna specifically during harvest season?

¹ For example, if a person acts in a way that leads others to praise him, such as having a pleasant demeanor, good manners and speech, he thereby sanctifies Hashem's name.  

² The Qumran sect is exceptional. Since they have a 364 day calendar which is evenly divisible by seven, the Omer offering was always brought not only on a set day of the week, but also on a set date of the month, the 26th of Nisan.