Parashat Emor – Summary

Parashat Emor continues with the motif of sanctity, expressed both in special laws for the priests and in the hallowed days of the Shabbat and festivals.
Sanctity of the Priests – Chapter 21 details specific restrictions for the common priests and the high priest related to mourning and marriage. This is followed by a list of the physical deformities that invalidate a priest from serving in the Temple.
Sanctified Food – Chapter 22 prohibits the priests from partaking of the offerings when ritually impure and outlines who in the priest's household may eat from terumah. After presenting the laws of animal blemishes and other restrictions regarding sacrifices, the chapter concludes with the commandment to sanctify God's name.
Sanctity of Time – Chapter 23 describes the laws pertaining to the sanctified days in the Jewish calendar.
The Blasphemer and Related Laws – Chapter 24 provides instructions regarding the bread on the Table of the Showbread (Shulchan) and the lamps on the Candelabrum (Menorah) in the Mishkan. After recounting the story of the blasphemer and his punishment, the chapter concludes with rulings related to torts and personal injury.

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