Halacha for Friday 9 Iyar 5784 May 17 2024

Parashat Emor

From HaGaon Rav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a, The Head of Halacha Yomit
(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds UK)

Any Form of Non-Orthodox Judaism is A Pitfall for Heresy

It states in the Parashah concerning the cohanim, “They must be holy to their G-d, and not profane their G-d’s Name” (Vayikra 21:6). The Torah warns us, that the cohanim must practice a greater level of sanctity than the rest of the people for they are the people of Hashem, and the people of Hashem must be holier than the rest of the people.

Why does it state however, “…declare the following to Aaron’s descendants and you shall say to them” (ibid 21:1), it would have sufficed with, “…declare the following to Aaron’s descendants”. The explanation is as Rashi has explained to ensure that the adults warn the younger ones. Meaning that the older generation caution the younger ones not to become impure via the dead (for a cohen may not come within 6 feet of a cadaver).

Rashi’s comments “to ensure that the adults warn the younger ones”, may also be understood to mean that the adults must conduct themselves with additional holiness and purity, so that the younger people will learn from their example.

However, if we consider the pessukim there appears a substantial difficulty, for it states, “You must be holy” (ibid. 19:2), which is a higher level than the rest of the people. But afterwards it states, “and not profane their G-d’s Name”, profaning is a lower level than holiness, for a person who isn’t holy isn’t necessarily profane. If so, exactly what exactly is the Torah commanding when it says to be holy and then adding not to profane their G-d’s Name?

The Torah is teaching us that in a person’s spiritual growth in serving Hashem there is no room for being lukewarm and compromising Torah values. There is no middle way that a person may travers, for this isn’t serving Hashem in anyway whatsoever.

Through a person’s actions they sanctify Hashem’s Name, or, chas veshalom, they desecrate Hashem’s Name. Therefore the Torah states “you must be holy” (ibid. 19:2), for if you won’t be holy then you are desecrating Hashem’s Name.

In the Torah’s way there is no room for compromising Torah values. Reform Judaism has no place in the fulfilment of mitzvot, to compromise any part of them is not an option. Go and see that all those who attempted to argue that some mitzvot are only for the pious, or who attempted to remove altogether some of the mitzvot, in the end, they left Yiddishkeit altogether. About them it states, “…so that they not desecrate My holy Name” (ibid. 22:2).

Am Yisrael recite everyday “Kriyat Shema” and say, “If you are careful to pay heed to my mitzvot…to love Hashem your G-d with all your heart and soul” (Devarim 11:13). Immediately we continue, “Be careful that your heart is not tempted to go astray after gods of others” (ibid. 16). This passuk highlights the very sharp pass between holiness, “with all your heart and soul”, and the other side, “Be careful that your heart is not tempted to go astray”. This is because there are no middle paths in serving Hashem, for should a person listen to the yetzer hara in just a small matter, at the end they will stumble in more serious sins.

It is understood that our intention is that even though there is no righteous person in the land who will do good and never sin [see Kohelet 7:20], nevertheless, also if a person G-d for bid stumbles, they may still elevate themselves again to serve Hashem. However, if they stumble in matters relating to ideology that implant in their heart heresy, even if they don’t actively deny, but rather interpret the Torah incorrectly and they attempt to lighten the yoke of mitzvot with improper arguments, for example, they cheapen those who are meticulous in mitzvah observance and similar things, or a person who is so immersed in sin that they don’t wish to make teshuva, then they are spiritually doomed.

This is the meaning in the words of our chachamim who said that Hashem didn’t exile His people Am Yisrael and destroy the Beit HaMikdash even for sexual immorality, idol worship and murder, but what did He punish am Yisrael for, “because they forsook my Torah” (Yirmiyahu 9:12), the sin of not studying Torah.

This may be explained that when a person is so steeped in a low level that they transgress such frightening sins, the main indictment against them isn’t the serious sins themselves, for what may be expected from such a lowly person, but rather the main claim in the severity of the judgement is that they caused themselves to deteriorate in serving Hashem, down a slippery slope. This is due to them not studying Torah. For if they had continued to assign daily ringfenced time for Torah study, they certainly would not have fallen into the nadir.

Therefore we are obligated, with renewed energy, to be meticulous to protect ourselves in correctly serving Hashem. For should we experience a small dip, we have cannot fathom how far this may lead chas veshalom. Rather, a person who is constantly in awe of Hashem and makes every effort to protect their spiritual standing and constantly adds more and more to serving their Creator, is assured that that they will succeed in serving Hashem, and it will good for them now and moving forwards.

Shabbat Shalom.

8 Halachot Most Popular

The Laws of Bowing During the Amida Prayer-Continued

In the previous Halacha we have discussed the basic laws of bowing during the Amida prayer, i.e. at the beginning and end of the “Magen Avraham” and “Modim” blessings. We have likewise explained the proper way to bow. Let us now discuss whether or not the custom that many hav......

Read Halacha

The Laws of Concentration During the Amida Prayer - The Laws of Bowing During the Amida Prayer

Question: At what points of the Amida should one bow and what is the correct method of bowing? Answer: Our Sages that one should bow several times during the Amida prayer. The blessings during which one must bow within the Amida are as follows: At the beginning and end of the “Magen Avra......

Read Halacha

Mincha Prayer on the Fast of the Tenth of Tevet

By popular request: This year when the Fast of the Tenth of Tevet coincides with Erev Shabbat, what is the best time for Mincha prayers to be held? The Custom Throughout the Year In general, Mincha on Friday afternoons is held in the synagogue approximately twenty minutes before sunset, after wh......

Read Halacha

The Fast of the Tenth of Tevet When it Coincides with Erev Shabbat

This coming Friday will mark the Tenth of Tevet, a public fast day observed throughout the Jewish nation until the arrival of Mashiach which marks the day the king of Babylon besieged Jerusalem with the intent of destroying it. The verse (Yechezkel 24) states: “And the word of Hashem was to me......

Read Halacha


Parashat Beshalach

 (From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l) (written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds UK) Paro’s Regret at Freeing Am Yisrael, he Only Appreciated Their Qualities After......

Read Halacha

Parashat Bo

(From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l) (written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds UK) Examining the Significance of Certain Phrases Used Regarding the Plagues, and the Differen......

Read Halacha

Parashat Vaera

(From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l) (written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds UK) Hashem’s Divine Providence (Hashgachah Pratit) and The Epic Story of Hananyah, Mishael an......

Read Halacha

The Custom of Spreading One’s Palms Wide Open While Reciting the Verse “Pote’ach Et Yadecha”

Question: Is there any basis for the custom of opening one’s hands wide while reciting the verse “Pote’ach Et Yadecha U’Masbia Le’Chol Chai Ratzon” or is this an incorrect custom? Similarly, should one rise while reciting “Yishtabach Shimcha” during th......

Read Halacha