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 of Sanctifying 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?
• In various times in history, Jews have been called upon to martyr themselves.  What gives one the strength to do so?  How should those who can not stand up to the challenge be viewed? See Rambam's Iggeret HaShemad and his attitude towards the אנוסים of his time who, to save their lives, were forced to declare the Shahada (the Islamic declaration of faith).
• Can you think of a time where your actions constituted a sanctification of Hashem's name?  What made them unique?

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?

An Eye for an Eye

As the penalty for certain forms of physical assault, the Torah puts forth a principle of "measure for measure" punishment, declaring that one give an "eye for an eye, tooth for tooth" etc.

• Is such commensurate punishment the fairest form of justice, or "cruel and unusual" punishment?
• In setting penalties for crimes, which of the following objectives should take precedence: compensation to the victim, rehabilitation of the criminal, retribution, or deterrence? What does this law suggest? Is this the norm or exception in Torah?
• The overwhelming majority of Talmudic sages rule that in the case of bodily harm, the guilty party pays restitution rather than being mutilated. But is this the simple interpretation of the verses in the Torah? Does the peshat of the Biblical texts differ from the Rabbinic verdict? If so, why is this? And, most importantly, how can the peshat and derash be reconciled? See "עַיִן תַּחַת עַיִן" – An Eye for an Eye.

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.