Hope all is well.
We move on through Leviticus!
Starting a new Torah portion. Emor. (Leviticus, 21)
It starts with laws about the Kohain.
Someone whose ancestors were priests in the Temple in Jerusalem.
Like me!
… No Kohain shall defile himself through contact with a dead body. (21:2)
Traditionally, other than for immediate relatives, a Kohain may not attend a funeral.
It’s an ancient law. With a very timely message.
Because sometimes religion focuses on death.
In fact, the ancient Egyptian Bible was called The Book of the Dead.
It taught people how to deal with death. How to prepare for the afterlife.
The Jewish Bible?
It’s called: Torat Chaim. The Torah of Life.
Sure the Torah teaches about dealing with death.
Things like the nature of the soul. Being judged. The afterlife.
But it has so much more to teach us about life.
How to make life meaningful. How to enjoy it.
And sanctify it.
How to relate to G-d.
And to our fellow man.
So the Jewish Priest stays away from death.
To make a point.
That religion isn’t just about death. It’s about life!
… I once called a fellow that was coming to my class.
His roommate answered. “He’s not in. Can I take a message?”
I said, “Could you please tell him that his Rabbi called”?
The roommate got very serious. Cleared his throat.
“Oh. Is everything alright”?
He probably thought someone died!
Why else would a Rabbi be calling!
And that’s a real shame.
… Because the best way to prepare for the “afterlife”?
Is to forget about it.
And learn what the Torah has to say about life!
All the best,